#and hanging around in the park in town on saturdays but making sure we were back for the ep

[chapwiththewingsthere]

partners in crime is SO fun and tbh always was

[geekfanficwriter]

Need You Tonight- Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader

Summary: The entire town thinks you and Eddie are dating so why aren't the two of you? Based on this request by @friendly-neighborhood-ghoul : Eddie idiots to lovers smut request!! You and Eddie are best friends and have been forever. You and Eddie tease back and forth casually; most people think you are already in a relationship together, but no. You both wish you were, however, because you are both in love with each other. You are at his place smoking, and you decide to serenade and tease him to N.I.B by Black Sabbath. While watching you, Eddie realizes it’s time to make a move; it’s now or never!! Words: 3.1k Warnings: SMUT (18+, minors dni), fingering, p in v sex, slight angst but not much, drug use

You dump the videos on the table in front of Steve who picks them up to check you out.

‘These movies are terrible, you know?’ Steve says as he looks through them.

‘Yeah but they’re great when you're stoned.’ You laugh slightly.

‘You hanging with Eddie tonight then?’

‘Yeah, just the usual.’ You shrug.

‘Well, what are the two of you doing on Saturday?’ Steve asks as he hands the videos over to you.

‘Not much, I don’t think. Eddie’s got band practice but nothing else. Why?’

‘Well I’m going out with this girl and she’s not completely comfortable with going out alone so I said I would make it a double date.’

‘Okay, we can do that but why me and Eddie?’ You ask confused.

‘Because you guys are one of the only couples I know.’ Steve shrugs and you gawk at his words.

‘Couple? Me and Eddie aren’t dating.’ You look at Steve with a frown.

‘Yes you are, everyone in town knows it.’

‘Everyone aside from me and Eddie apparently.’

‘So even though you’re both totally into each other, you’re just friends?’ Steve smirks at you.

‘Eddie doesn’t like me.’ You sigh.

‘He calls you babe, he’s always touching you, he flirts with you. How does he not like you exactly?’ Steve said, rolling his eyes.

‘That’s just him being friendly. He’s my best friend.’ You shrug.

‘Yeah and he acts like that around his other friends?’

‘I’m his best friend, of course, he acts differently around me.’

‘Okay, well just stay in denial.’

‘I will. I’ll see you later.’ You said walking out. As you made your way over to your car you saw Gareth walking towards you.

‘Hey, Gar!’ You yell out.

‘Oh hey, how are you?’

‘I’m good. Umm quick question, you know I’m single, right?’

‘You and Eddie broke up? When did that happen?’ He looked at you shocked.

‘We didn’t break up, we’ve never dated.’

‘Huh, I was sure you guys started dating like 2 years ago.’ Gareth said looking confused.

‘Nope, I think I’d know if we had.’

‘Wow, weird. And to think Jeff wanted to ask you to Homecoming.’ Gareth said, before his eyes widened, realising he probably shouldn’t have told you that.

‘Yeah, I wouldn’t have said yes, anyway. I love Jeff but as a friend.’ That and the massive crush you had on Eddie meant you just couldn’t develop feelings for another guy no matter how hard you tried.

‘Well, I’ve got to run. I’m meeting Eddie.’ You tell Gareth, walking towards your car.

‘Eddie, your not boyfriend?’ Gareth laughs as you unlock your car door.

‘Yes, my not boyfriend. Bye.’ You tell him as you get into your car and head towards the trailer park.

‘Guess what?’ You say as you burst into Eddie’s trailer.

‘Hello to you too.’ Eddie said, looking up from where he sat on the couch.

‘Hey.’ You say placing the bag with snacks and movies on the counter in the kitchen area.

‘So what was so important you couldn’t even be bothered saying hi to your best friend?’

‘Okay so Steve was working at the video store today-‘

‘So the same as every other day.’ Eddie cut you off.

‘Yeah, now don’t interrupt me.’ You lightly hit him on the chest and he reacts in mock pain, making you roll your eyes. ‘So he asks if I want to go on a double date with him with my boyfriend.’

‘You have a boyfriend and you told Steve but not me!’ Eddie said, genuinely annoyed that you hadn’t told him about your boyfriend. He was your best friend, not Steve.

‘No, I don’t have a boyfriend but Steve thought I did and he thought it was you.’ Eddie stared at you for a moment before bursting out laughing. You tried to keep the disappointed look off your face. You knew Eddie didn’t want to date you but finding the idea that the two of you were dating funny hurt.

‘God, Harrington can be such a dumbass sometimes.’ Eddie laughed.

‘Well, he’s not the only one cause I ran into Gareth afterwards and apparently the whole of Hellfire thinks we're dating.’ You cross your arms. Was the idea of dating you really that bad?

‘But Gareth knows that-‘ Eddie quickly cut himself off.

‘Gareth knows what?’ You glare at him suspiciously.

‘Nothing, nothing. Anyway, you wanna go smoke because I’ve got a new strain that I want to try?’ Eddie rambles on.

‘Fine but don’t think I’m letting you off that easy.’ You say walking through to Eddie’s bedroom and kicking off your shoes before flopping down on the bed. Eddie follows closely behind you and heads over to his dresser, digging around until he finds the small box containing his personal supply. He pulls out a bag and some rolling papers throwing them over to you.

‘You roll, I’ll put on some music.’ He heads over to his cassette collection, looking through it.

‘Fine, I’m better at rolling than you anyway.’ You shoot back, smiling slightly as you work on rolling the joint.

‘Yeah, that’s why if you could roll a couple extra for me to smoke later that would be great.’ He looks back at you and smiles. You roll your eyes but Eddie knows you’ll do it for him.

‘Sabbath, okay?’ He asks pulling out a cassette and putting it in the player.

‘Do I really have a choice?’ You ask as you light up the now rolled joint, holding it in your mouth as you roll some more.

‘Nope.’ Eddie said, flopping down next to you and pulling the joint out your mouth, taking a hit. You weren’t complaining about the music choice. You liked Sabbath. You just liked joking around with Eddie even more.

‘Can you give me a hit while I’m rolling for you?’ You ask Eddie, who obliges, holding the joint in front of your face, as you put your lips around it.

‘God, I’ve got your spit on me now. The things I do for you.’ Eddie sighs, dramatically wiping his hand on his jeans.

‘First of all, my mouth was nowhere near your hand. Second of all, according to half of Hawkins, you are my boyfriend.’ You smile at him, placing the bag now full of pre-rolled joints on his bedside table and turning to face him.

‘Don’t say that.’ Eddie grimaces, looking away from you.

‘Wow, the idea of dating me that bad?’ You ask, grabbing the joint from him. You had no idea what was in this strain but it was hitting you hard and you felt all your inhibitions melting away.

‘No!’ Eddie protested loudly, turning back to look at you. ‘It’s just that you’re you, you know?’

‘No, I don’t know.’ You could see how red Eddie was but you couldn’t stop teasing him.

‘You’re my best friend, the girl I’ve been hanging around with for like ten years. I wouldn’t want to you know. God stop looking at me with that smirk on your face.’ Eddie said pushing your face away from him as you laughed.

‘Okay, I’ll stop. It’s just funny to see you all flustered.’ You hand the joint back over to him and the two of you sit and smoke in a comfortable silence.

‘So what does Gareth know?’ You eventually ask him and he immediately turns bright red again.

‘Damn, I thought you’d have forgotten about that.’ Eddie said rubbing the back of his neck.

‘I don’t forget anything. I still remember the bicycle incident.’ You playfully glared at him.

‘We were 13!’ He yells.

‘Yeah and I’m pretty sure I lost my virginity thanks to that.’ You joke back.

‘I’m pretty sure you lost your virginity in the back seat of Todd Martin’s car.’ He shoots back.

‘Well, yeah officially but stop changing the topic and tell me.’ You poke him in the side causing him to wiggle away from you.

‘It’s nothing honestly.’ You pout at him.

‘I thought we told each other everything but now you're telling me there’s stuff that Gareth knows about you that I don’t.’

‘No, it was just something stupid.’ He shrugs.

‘Wait we were talking about how relationships, do you have a girlfriend I don’t know about or something?’ You ask offended. If Eddie was in a relationship it would break your heart but it would break it even more if he had kept it hidden from you.

‘God no, nothing like that. You know none of the girls in this town would date me.’ Eddie sighed. You wanted to scream at him that you would but you didn’t.

‘Who gives a fuck about girls in this town? They don’t deserve to date the great Eddie Munson.’ You were included in that. You were nowhere near good enough to date someone as amazing as him.

‘Well, there is one girl.’ Eddie murmurs, so quiet you almost miss it but you don’t.

‘So you like someone then. Who?’ You sit up, wanting to know who had managed to capture his attention.

‘It’s no one. It’ll never happen so it doesn’t matter.’ He shrugs and you look over at him.

‘You don’t know that.’

‘Believe me, I do.’

‘Tell me who it is, I guarantee she’s into you as well.’

‘Absolutely not.’

‘Please’ You pout at him.

‘No.’ You don’t know if it’s the weed in your system that makes you bold but you move over to straddle his lap, tickling his sides.

‘Tell me.’ You ask as he squirms beneath you. He continues to say that he won’t tell you as you tickle him mercilessly. You suddenly stop, realising how close your face is to his, so close that you can feel his breath on your face. You stared into his eyes, willing him to lean in slightly and connect your lips.

‘I really like this song.’ Eddie mumbles, breaking you out of your trance.

‘Yeah me too.’ You say. You start to sing along quietly to the song, not getting off Eddie’s lap. Eddie laughs quietly and you also start to smile, dancing slightly as you sing, running your hands along Eddie’s chest. You knew this was a bad idea, that you were making your feelings obvious to Eddie and it would change your friendship forever. But you didn’t care.

Eddie’s hands suddenly moved up to your hips and gripped them hard, stopping your movement. He sat up, looking you in the eye as he repositioned you on his lap.

‘The girl I like-‘ Eddie whispers, pressing your foreheads together, ‘-is you.’ Your breath hitched. You couldn’t believe that Eddie liked you too. You wanted to pinch yourself to see if this was real and not a dream.

‘Please respond.’ Eddie said, nervousness lacing his voice.

‘I like you too, Eddie. I have for a long time.’ That was all it took for Eddie to respond, leaning in and kissing you hard. You immediately kissed back, moving one of your hands to wrap in his hair. You parted your lips and he slipped his tongue into your mouth, one of his hands moving to grip your thigh hard. You moved your hips against him, grinding slightly as he moaned into your mouth pulling away from you.

‘Don’t do that.’ He breathes out, his hands still gripping you hard.

‘Why not?’ You frowned, had you taken it too far?

‘Because if you do I won’t be able to control myself.’

‘What if I want you to lose control?’ That’s all it took for him to react, leaning in and kissing you again. His hands slid under your shirt, moving to grip your breasts through your bra. He started to palm them hard, as he moves his lips down to your neck, sucking hard as you groaned out. You moved your hands from his neck, down to the bottom of your shirt, pulling it over your head. Eddie reached to pull off his own shirt, grinning slightly as you moved your hands back to undo your bra, sliding it off.

‘Fuck, you’re tits are even more perfect than I imagined.’ Eddie groaned out as he stared down.

‘So you imagined what my tits looked like?’ You smirked as you ran your hands up his chest, placing them on his shoulders.

‘Yeah, so many times.’ He admitted, clearly holding himself back as he stared at your tits.

‘Well then, stop resisting.’ You leaned forward, kissing his neck down to his chest tattoos. He moved his hands back to your tits playing with them as you kept pressing kisses all over his chest. He moved one of his hands to grip your hair, lightly pulling you away from him as he bowed his head down to kiss your breasts. He pressed kisses in a circle around your nipple before taking your nipple into his mouth, sucking hard. You started to grind on him again as you moaned, feeling his hardness pressing into your jean-covered crotch. You wanted so desperately to reach down and undo your jeans.

‘Eddie, baby, please.’ You whined out, pressing your crotch into him harder. He removed his mouth from your nipple, smirking up at you.

‘What do you want?’ He asks, his hands moving to toy with the button on your jeans.

‘Fuck me, touch me, anything.’ He unbuttoned your jeans, pulling them down slightly. You moved off his lap slightly to kick them off. Eddie ran a finger over your underwear, letting out a light groan as he felt how wet you were. He pushed your underwear to the side, moving his finger to rub your clit slowly. You moaned, leaning forward and pressing your face into his shoulder, biting down slightly. He sped up the pace on your clit, rubbing in circles. You continued to moan, your pussy clenching as you felt your orgasm building. You had always known Eddie would be skilled with his fingers but you didn’t think he would bring you to orgasm this fast. He removed his fingers from your clit but it was only for a moment, his thumb pressing against you as he slid his fingers inside you.

‘Fuck, Eddie.’ You moaned out as his fingers moved at a steady pace in and out of you. You moved your head from his shoulder, kissing him hard, moving your hand down to palm him through his jeans. You groaned loudly, feeling yourself coming closer and closer to your orgasm, your hand that wasn’t on his crotch, digging into his shoulder, leaving crescent-shaped marks.

‘You going to come for me, baby?’ He asked, pulling away from your lips. You nodded slightly, whimpering as he sped up the movements on your clit. You felt yourself clench around his fingers as you came hard, moaning out his name as you did so. He slowly moved his fingers in and out of you, before pulling them out of you, bringing them to his mouth and licking them clean as you rested your head on his shoulder and you breathed heavily. Eddie wrapped his arms around you, holding you close.

You should still feel his hardness pressing into you and you lifted your head up, pressing your lips against his hard. You moved your hands down, undoing his jeans and pulling them down slightly along with his underwear, revealing his hard cock.

‘Babe, you don’t have to.’ Eddie said pulling away from you.

‘I know, I want to.’ You licked your palm, moving it down to pump his cock a few times, as he groaned out. You wanted to move down and feel his cock in your mouth but even more so you wanted him inside you.

‘You got a condom?’ You asked as you kept jerking him with your hand.

‘Yeah, fuck, just let me.’ He reached over to his bedside table, rummaging around in his drawer for a moment before pulling out the foil package. He ripped it open, and you removed your hand from his cock as he rolled the condom down while you pulled your underwear off, throwing them somewhere in the room. Once it was on properly he leaned forward and pressed a kiss again your lips. You lifted your hips up, rubbing against him slightly, before grabbing his cock and lining him up with your hole, pushing down. You both moaned as you felt him fill you up. Once he was fully inside you, you sat still on his lap, adjusting to the feeling of him inside you. You slowly started to move your hips against him, placing your hands on his shoulders to support yourself as you pulled your hips up and down.

‘Your pussy feels so good.’ Eddie groaned out as you squeezed around him. He moved his hips up to match your thrusts. He gripped your hips tight, moving forward to suck your breasts again, biting the flesh slightly, leaving marks. You dug your nails into his shoulders and you sped up your pace, bouncing on him.

‘Fuck Eddie, touch my clit, please.’ You groaned out and he obliged, his thumb pressing into you as you threw your head back in a moan. You felt your second orgasm of the night building, the feeling of Eddie’s cock hitting your g-spot and his finger on your clit too much. You moved your hand to grip Eddie’s chin, pulling him away from your tits and pressing his lips to yours. You felt yourself clench around Eddie’s cock and you moaned out loudly against his lips as you come hard. The feeling of you clenching around him send him over the edge and he threw his head back groaning as he came inside the condom.

He flopped back down on the bed, breathing heavily. You pulled your off of him, groaning lightly at the loss. You adjusted yourself slightly, laying down on top of Eddie as he wrapped his arms around you. You lay there comfortably in the silence for a moment before Eddie spoke up.

‘Fuck, we are so going that again.’ He groaned out. ‘I mean if you want to.’ He quickly corrected.

‘Of course, I want to.’ You tell him, looking up at him.

‘So do you also want to go on a date sometime?’ He looked at you sweetly with those big brown eyes.

‘Yeah, definitely, more than anything.’ You say, leaning up to kiss him lightly.

‘Great, I’ll take you out Saturday?’ He asks wrapping his arms around even tighter as you nodded, excited for your date.

‘Aw, fuck.’ You say, realising something.

‘What?’ Eddie said with fear in his eyes. Fear that you were about to tell him that you couldn’t date him.

‘I just told everyone we aren’t dating, now we are.’ You smiled up at him as he relaxed slightly.

‘Well guess we’re just going to have to tell them differently.’ He said, leaning down to kiss your forehead lightly.

[mackeydoodledoo]

She Wears Short Skirts, I Wear T-Shirts: Chapter 3

Pairing: Bridget (Cheerleader AU) x (Fem!)Reader

Chapter Summary: Continuing on hanging out with Bridget, she invites you to one of her Cheer competitions, however, you have a band competition the same day...

Chapter Warnings: Anxiety, Swearing

Chapter Key: Italics = Thoughts, +*+ = Time Skip, F/n = Friend's name, B/n = Band Name, Bold/Italic = Flashback

Chapter Theme: Aftertaste - Katie Gavin

A/n: n/a

------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Y/n's POV* You walk into school Monday, everything going back to its bleak, bland self...

"Hi Y/n," Bridget comes up to greet you

"Hey you," You smile

The both of you walk around the school...

"Your Sunday go okay?" She asks

"Yeah, I just went to work and finished any homework I had yet to get to," You say, "You?"

"Yeah, I got to sleep in," She says

"That must be nice," You say

"Hey so I have a question," She says

"Yeah?" You ask back, "Shoot."

"This Saturday, I have a cheer competition with the town's independent competitive cheer team," She begins, "It'd mean a lot to me if you came."

Wait...

"This... Saturday?" You ask

"Yeah, why?" She asks

"Band has a competition," You explain, "The competition that determines whether our and goes to State Finals..."

"Oh," Bridget puts on a smile, trying to hide that she was sad

But, she was terrible at hiding her sadness emotion.

"I'll try," You say

"You will?" She asks

"Of course," You smile, "I've never been to a cheer competition before. So it's bound to be an interesting time."

The both of you stop at her first period.

"Okay, I'll text you the details in like... the next few days," She says, "Hopefully I'll see you there..."

She disappears into the classroom.

+*+

You sit at the front desk at the record store...

Man.... Working some weeknights sucks...

But, you were able to make a few extra bucks whilst being in high school.

But the entire place was dead, other than your manager who was in the back, doing god-knows-what.

Hey whatcha doing? I'm at work... So bored... You? Laying in bed, where do you work? The local record store. Oh! I didn't know you worked there. Guess I'll have to come visit ;) It would sure beat being in here by myself. Don't you have a manager with you? I do, but he's always in the office. Part of me believes he only goes back there to sleep and let me do all of the work. Do you want me to come in and keep you company? I'm off soon, so it wouldn't be worth it. 'Preciate it though :) Always. Anyway, I just wanted to text you the information

You watch as your phone dings with the address to the high school Bridget was going to compete at.

Epic, well, I'm going to head out of here and then to bed. Goodnight Pinky. Night Emo ;)

+*+

You walk into the band room, coffee in hand.. You couldn't wait to be done with outdoor band...

"Captain! There she is!" Your bass 5 member greets you

You sigh as you go grab your drum for a sectional.

"You're lucky your drumline instructor likes you all enough to get breakfast," He says, gesturing to boxed up food behind him

"I can take over until you're done eating Y/n," f/n says

*Bridget's POV* You wake up to your alarm and get changed into some simple sweats, but packing your independent cheer team outfit into your backpack.

"I'm heading out," You say to your parents who were at the table

"Okay, we'll see you there," Your dad says

You exit the door and plug in your music as you approach the car parked at the curb of your house.

"Morning Bridge," F/n greets you

"Morning," You yawn

"Want to get coffee before we head to practice?" She asks

"Sure," You sigh

"Hey, you're not your usual chipper self in the morning, spill," She says

"I invited someone I like... And she said she had something very important to do," You begin, "I'm worried she'll miss it."

"First, it'll be her loss," f/n chuckles, "Second, don't let it get to your head today. It's another big day."

You nod.

+*+

You sit with your girls as you all much on catered food.

Hey you, rehearsals going good? Yeah, how about you? We finished, we're packing our equipment into our truck, and then heading to the competition site.

"Okay girls, let's run the routine one more time before heading out!" Your coach yells

You all get up and follow each other to the padded floor for another routine run.

Good luck at your competition. Good luck at yours :)

You board the bus and sit in your own seat as you drive to the competition.

+*+

You step off the bus and follow the coach to check-in. You look at your phone, hoping to see a text from Y/n...

Nothing...

Must be at her competition by now... Or even out on that field...

You set your belongings in the designated area and begin to stretch your body.

+*+

*Y/n's POV* You quickly, but efficiently put your drum away and quickly change into presentable sweats and quickly make your way to your car.

*Bridget's POV* Anxiety runs through you as you travel throughout the school, heading to warm up areas and then to the competition floor.

You've competed in the little Regional class competitions before, and finally earned your wya up to Independent class....

Why am I so nervous?...

As you get into place you look up one more time, hoping to see Y/n in the crowd. Last second, you see someone rushing to the stands. You weren't able to wait any second longer before the music began.

+*+

Your friends split off after they hand you the first place trophy.

"Oh Sweety that was amazing!" Your mom hugs you

"Thanks mom," You sigh into a smile, "I just wish Y/n was able to make it..."

"Oh, you didn't see her as you walked off the floor?" She asks

You blink at your parents in confusion... However, your dad points over your shoulder. Y/n leans against the wall.

"If you're going to hang out with her, go on," Your mom tells you

"We'll see you at home," Your dad says

Without a second thought, you run down the hall.

"You made it!" You practically jump into Y/n's arms

"I said I'd try," She says, "I made it just before you started performing."

So... That person running to the stands was her...

"Do you want to grab a bite to eat?" She offers, "I drove straight here as soon as we got back to the school and I'm kinda starving, and with a routine like that, I'm sure you are too."

Your stomach grumbles...

"You read my mind," You smile

"Come on," She says, "By the way, where's the rest of your team?"

"They all left," You say

"What a shame," She sighs, "I'd wonder if your independent cheer girls would have liked me too..."

"Do you wish for every girl to gawk over you?" You ask

"No!" She says, "Not at all. But, it'd be nice if your friends I have yet to meet would like me."

"I didn't know you cared about first impressions," You smile

"I don't but... Your prized drummer shows up at a Cheer competition," She chuckles, "She's out of her element here!"

You giggle, "Come on, let's get you out of it then."

+*+

Y/n drives to the same diner, and the both of you sit in a booth.

"What's it with you and this place?" You ask

"Could never go wrong with a good burger," They say, "And it's basically the only place I know how to get to by heart."

"Also, how did the band do?" You ask

"We're going to state finals," She smiles

"That's amazing!" You smile back, "I didn't have ant doubts the band wouldn't. They have the greatest drumline."

"Well, not to toot my own horn but we did win the award for best percussion," She says, sounding full of herself

"The town's united Cheer team also took first," You brag

"With a cheer routine like that, I wouldn't doubt it a single second," She says

"When's state finals?" You ask

"Next week," She answers

"That soon?!" You ask

*Y/n's POV* "Well, yeah," You say, "It's beginning to get too cold to do band things. Even if the state finals venue is indoors."

"How will you be able to revise the show on time?" Bridget asks

"You underestimate the ability to change a show with less than a week," You chuckle

"I'm serious!" She says

"I am too," You say, nonchalantly, "There have been times where we have changed a drill set the day before a competition. We all had it nailed in like... Thirty minutes."

"Thirty?!" Her eyes widen

You nod, "You know, if you joined marching band, you'd fit right in with the color guard."

"Really?" She looks at you

You nod again, "They're graceful, badass, and beautiful. They're also scary at times, but that's mostly when we're crossing between them as they spin their props. Did I tell you that they also spin more than just flags."

"I've seen it," She says, "They're awesome."

"Maybe, you should consider giving winter guard a try," You suggest, "I won't force you, but I'll send you some videos from my guard friends. I do winter percussion... As the drum set player."

"Oh, I wonder how you got that part," She smiles

"Well, I started out doing auxiliary percussion, then moved my way up to drum set," You explain, "Drumset is simply an extension of percussion."

"I'd totally come to one of your winter shows," She says

"Well... The ensemble I'm with is out of state...." You sigh, "One of the top 5 groups in the entire country."

"I'll make the drive," She says

"There's a lot of car mileage and gas involved," You attempt to deter her away from making the drive you do

"I don't care, I want to see whatever show you do," She says

"Well then I will keep you updated on my indoor drumline endeavors," You chuckle

+*+

After dinner, you drive her home...

"Hope I didn't take you from family stuff," You say

"They didn't mind," Bridget says, "As always, thank you for driving me home."

"Anytime pinky," You reply, "I shall see you on Monday."

Chapter 4

[hrtsgyu]

last night with heeseung.

“hey, you up?” he asks you through the phone call. “yeah what's wrong?” you could only assume he wants to do something since it's 3am. It's not completely out of the ordinary.

“look outside.” you got up from your cozy bed to look outside your window. “look up, the stars are so bright tonight. don’t you think?” you can hear the wind through the phone. “yeah they’re pretty. where are you?” you look down and around trying to see if he’s near. “right around the corner, let's go somewhere yeah?” “can’t tonight heeseung i have work in the morning.” “on a saturday really?” he sounds disappointed. “im sorry, we can hang another-” “just for a little bit? please?”

it's been like this for about a month. he used to ask to hang out during the day but these days it’s only been at night. always wanting your company, making you go to whatever concert he can sneak the both of you in. you liked heeseung, he always flirted with you but you couldn’t tell if its just him or if it was only with you. he made you feel special though, safe too. what you had for him, you never had for anyone else. 

“sure, but only for a little bit.” “yes! im parked outside your house.” “coming!” you ended the call and put on his hoodie that you stole from him when it suddenly got cold one night when the two of you were walking around the town center and he gave it to you. 

you silently snuck out of the house and into his car. “hey pretty.” “shut up.” he chuckles. “Is that my hoodie?” “no..” you mumbled. “right..” you felt him staring at you and got flustered. “can you drive now?” he snickers a little. “okay, okay!” he puts his hands up in defeat and starts driving. 

[3:30]

the both of you finally arrive at the park after picking up some junk food that’ll definitely hurt later. he puts on music as the two of you sit on the blanket that was in his car. 

“what are you doing after work today?” he breaks the silence. “napping, since someone decided to wake me up at 3am.” you tilt your head and give him a fake smile. “that someone must be the most talented, amazing, awesome person ever.” “right?” you grab his phone to see the time when his phone buzzed. “someone texted you.” “who?” “someone named sooyoung.” he flinched a little. “oh shit i forgot to text her back.” he grabs the phone from your hand, quickly replying to whoever sooyoung is.

you’re a little sad to be honest but you don't let it show. “sooyoung?” you ask in your normal tone. “just someone im talking to.” you feel your own heart sadden. Is that even possible? “oh really? for how long?” keeping your composure. “like a month? she’s super hot, and actually has a personality.”

oh. is that why he started contacting you at night.. “have you taken her on any dates?” “like 3 i think.” “hmm.” “but we’ve been hanging non-stop, everyday it’s just us.” your heart is breaking. “she must be really fun then.” “oh yeah for sure. but i was going to ask you if you were free after work so that we can go to another concert, i was going to bring her along so the two of you could meet.” “ohh umm i have plans with jake after work. well after my nap.” “i understand, maybe another time then?” he gives you his big sad bambi eyes. “just let me know.” 

[3:50] 

you both sit in silence, enjoying the stars and the music. heeseung closes his eyes when he feels the breeze. you turn to look at him and feel your heart ache. how you wish you could be his.

“you okay?” he brings you back from your sorrow. “yeah.. this lighting suits you.” you take out your phone and snap a few pictures of him. “send it to sooyoung.” you say as you airdrop the photos to him. “nah this is instagram story worthy.” he replied, opening the app, posting it and tagging you. he turns off his phone, placing his attention on you. he scoots over to you and puts his arm around your waist pulling you closer to him. the both of you stare into the distance. 

your mind full of him and his mind full of another girl.

HAIII!!!! i was about to delete this account until i had something in my inbox and there was such a sweet anon :( i made this quick little drabble about heeseung from enhypen. he's so kind and he would not do this irl, at least i hope but given that he has a toy story collection and kept his english name evan hidden for years because he didn't want engenes to feel bad.. yeah thats my man.. anyways im back now! and i was in a little of a writers block but idk something about shoegaze makes me want to write. speaking of shoegaze, i totally recommend listening to beauty school by deftones while reading. love you all esp you anon tysm for bringing me back to writing. u guys should totally leave suggestions in my inbox as well i appreciate anything !! HAVE A GOOD DAY/NIGHT!!! :3

[starhvney]

𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝟑 | 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟑: 𝐀 𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐋 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐃

𝐂𝐖: more stalking mentions

𝐀/𝐍: sisters i'm back from war

𝐖𝐂: 4,700 +

𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 ☆ 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 | 𝐀𝐎𝟑 | 𝐅𝐈𝐂 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 | 𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐒

a sigh of relief leaves your lips as you flop down onto your bed, the impact making a dull squeaking sound against the matress. the weekend was finally here, and you had spent most of your saturday recharging your social battery in bed.

buzz

slowly, you turn over on your side, fumbling in your pocket for your phone.

laurance: hey!

you: hi! what’s up?

laurance: do you want to hang out today?

you pause, before shooting up in place with a newfound energy. did he really want to be friends and hang out? already? your old friends usually never reached out first.

you: sure! where at?

your hands tremble. you responded super quick. was that too eager?

laurance: ok cool :) how about the park a couple streets down from where you and aphmau live?

…

you: how do you know where we live?

laurance: ohh lol i didn’t mean to sound creepy, i forgot you weren’t with us

laurance: i ran into aphmau after my practice and her detention and we walked home together, i actually live pretty close to where you guys do :D

you: ohhh! that makes a lot more sense hahaha

you: i was gonna sayyy

laurance: lmao my bad i’m not a stalker i swear

…

laurance: but fr do you want to hang out at the park? if you don’t want to it’s fine

laurance: you can invite aphmau too, she hasn’t texted me so i don’t have her number. garroth is gonna come by too

you: yeah, i do! what time?

laurance: at 1-ish? i’ll text you when i’m headed there

you glance at the time. that’s in an hour.

you: ok! i’ll text aphmau too

laurance: cool :) ttyl

you clumsily roll yourself back up out of your bed, dragging your worn socks along the floors to the living room as you send a text to aphmau about the invite.

entering the living room, you find your mom sitting in the recliner while watching one of her criminal mystery shows she’s into. is it rizolli & isles? yeah, that main character is cool.

“hey mom?”

she perks up at your voice, shifting the reading glasses that rested on her nose as she adjusts the fluffy robe she wore.

“yes?”

“my friend from school invited me to hang out at the park in our neighborhood in an hour or so. can i go?”

she leans forward with an arched eyebrow. “what friend?”

“um… one of the guy friends i made in my class. and two other friends are going, too. one of them is aphmau.” you explain. “the boys are really nice and respectful, i promise.”

“ooh, boys? do you like one of them already?” she cheekily grins at you, scrunching her shoulders up and tucking her chin down with a goofy giggle.

“mom, no! we’re just all friends.”

she hums, seemingly satisfied with your level of embarrassment.

“okay, just text me updates on what y’all are doing.”

“okay, thanks mom.” you nod, before running back up to your room to get ready.

☆

you find a tree to stand under, squinting down at your phone as small glares of the sun shine through the leaves and reflect into your eyes from the screen.

you: i’m here! under the tree by the entrance

you: like the one to my neighborhood

you: i think

looking up from your phone, you take a glance around the active park. kids played with their parents in the grass, some groups of kids around my age were messing around, and even an old couple sat peacefully on a bench nearby. a light breeze blows warm air against your face, combing through your hair and carrying the refreshing scent of the pristinely watered grass along with it. you honestly wouldn’t mind spending a day here by yourself.

back in those smaller towns south of meteli, there were a few good people with a sense of meaning in their lives, but you wouldn’t find this many people together and happy at once unless there was… alcohol involved. for the most part, at least. 

“hey.” a honeyed voice startles you as you jump and turn around to the source.

laurance looks down at you amusedly, a small giggle leaving his lips as he breaks out into a grin. his sun-kissed cheeks scrunched along with his nose, something you’ve noticed he does when he smiles.

this is the first time you’ve seen him out of the formal school uniform. he wore a loose, short-sleeved green button up over a beige t-shirt, paired with some jeans and a beat up pair of black converse. around his neck he had a brown braided leather necklace, just loose enough to not be considered a choker.

“sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”

“no, it’s fine! i was just lost in thought,” you wave your hand dismissively, giving a sheepish smile. “hi.”

suddenly, your phone buzzes, and you quickly look down to check.

aphmau: i’m on my way! almost there ^^

you: okok cool! laurance and i are here

“aphmau’s almost here,” you announce, before pocketing your phone away.

laurance nods with a hum before slowly and mindlessly walking forward, his hands shoved in his front pockets.

“so, you moved here this summer right?” he asks.

“yeah. i actually moved in a couple days before school started,” you chuckle at his face as he looks at you in surprise. “but recently my parents told me we actually lived here for a bit when i was younger. i don’t really remember it, though.”

“huh. so you don’t remember any friends from that time either?”

“turns out i actually knew aphmau, and i think there’s a few pictures of me with some other kids i was friends with at the time. i think our parents were close, too… but i haven’t heard anything from my parents.” you shrug. “they don’t like talking about it, for whatever reason.”

“well it’s cool you got to reunite with aphmau, even if you don’t remember being friends with her.”

you can’t help but smile at his optimistic perspective. he seemed so intimidatingly outgoing and suave when you first met him, but his confidence wasn’t overbearing or exhausting. it was refreshing, like sun rays against your face on a cool day. 

“so you moved here from the meteli area, too?”

“yeah, my parents moved us here towards the end of my time in elementary. just out of this neighborhood there’s some designated farmland and we live on some of the property close to here.” he explains, a bit sheepishly at that. “it’s nice being close to the city but still enjoying the nature and animals and stuff.”

“there’s farms here…? cool! i wish we lived out of a neighborhood, that sounds really peaceful,” you smile. “so you’re close enough to walk here?”

his shoulders sag in what seems to be relief as he grins back at you.

“yeah, but it’s kind of a long walk so my older sister drives me to school in the mornings most of the time. i think you’d be good friends with her, actually. maybe you can meet her at school or come visit sometime…” he trails off, looking up ahead. “oh, there’s aphmau.”

you smile at the suggestion before turning to see the shorter girl. she wore khaki mini shorts with cute sandals and a red square-necked cami—she looked adorable.

“hey, aphmau!” you call out as the two of you approach her. she startles abruptly as usual. 

“oh!” she gasps, putting her hand over her heart. “why do i feel like you guys are always sneaking up on me?”

laurance chuckles, scratching the side of his head. “we said hey… it’s not our fault you’re so jumpy.”

her shoulders slump as she narrows her eyes at him, amber irises framed by her wispy lashes. you snort at the sight, causing her to direct her oh-so-intimidating glare at you.

you raise your hands up in surrender with a grin, circling next to her to wrap your arm around her shoulders. “aphmau, you’re too cutesie to be intimidating, but i can admire your effort. i love your outfit, by the way.”

“wha- i- hey! i mean… thanks?” she babbles out flusteredly, her cheeks turning red as she blinks up at you.

“yeah! so, aphmau. we were talking about where we lived and stuff. did you always live here in phoenix drop?” you ask, linking your other arm with laurance as you lazily begin walking along the concrete path in front of you.

a breeze gently blows against your faces and combs through your hair, the wind warm from the late summer heat.

“um, no actually! i used to live here as a kid, and then my family moved away for a little bit for some reason...”

“huh, i didn’t know you moved away for a while, too,” you mutter, eyes drifting away in thought.

why didn’t your parents ever mention why you moved away? and if they were part of some friend group and they moved away too—like sylvanna and aphmau—what made them split apart like that? your mind wanders to the little boys from that childhood photo hanging on the wall in aphmau’s house. did their family move away, too?

“yeah, now that i think about it mom never told me why,” she wonders aloud, her eyes owlishly looking up at mine.

“mhm, weird... anyways, i was just talking about how i don’t really remember anyone from that time.”

“yeah, same here. i was too young to be able to keep up with them.”

“well, now you both have a new friend,” laurance says, before he scratches the nape of his neck. “i mean, if you guys will be mine, that is.”

“well yeah, of course!” you smile, unhooking your arms from both of them before striding forward, turning to walk backwards as you face them.

“i don’t mind…” aphmau says, placing her hands behind her back.

laurance’s gray-blue eyes brighten, his face almost lifting as his sight shifts from aphmau to you. his happiness is seemingly short-lived, though, as a deeper voice abruptly interrupts our heartfelt talk.

“gross.”

the three of you stop in your tracks, looking off to behind you where the voice came from. a tall boy in grungy attire looks at the three of you impassively, though his body language could be read as condescending. black messy hair contrasted with his complexion. he glared back at laurance, dark lashes and deep eye circles framing his dark colored eyes.

“good to see you at this park again, laurance.” he calls out to the boy next to you.

“gene.” laurance curtly responds, crossing his arms and irritatedly rolling his tongue against the inside of his cheek.

you look at aphmau out of the corner of your eye, who spares you a nervous glance. 

“what do you want?” laurance groans.

“we just wanted to say hi, laurance.” your attention turns to the lazy voice coming from behind gene.

a girl with silver white hair and sleepy amethyst-colored eyes boredly stares at your friend as she lounges under a nearby tree. next to her is another boy with furrowed brows, his lips seemingly in a permanent downward twist. his reddish-brown hair hung over his similarly colored eyes as he sat with hunched shoulders next to the girl. 

“so rude.” he muses condescendingly.

“who are these guys?” you question, your voice coming out quieter than you intended.

sharp, deep blue eyes snap down to you. you suddenly feel small as his eyes squint, observing you from where he stood.

“yeah, you’re not even gonna properly introduce us to them?” questions gene, who seemingly is the leader of this trio.

“if rather not, no.” laurance says, his voice clipped as he shoves his hands in his pockets.

“fine then, i’ll be a gentleman and do it myself,” he slowly walks closer to us, eyes finally leaving you as he glances over to aphmau. “i’m gene, i’m the leader of the shadow knights.”

“shadow knights?” your eyebrows pinch together.

“it’s our group. if you want to know more, you could always join us.”

“enough, gene. leave them alone.”

gene looks back at laurance with a mix of amusement and annoyance, his eyes narrowing as he smirks at him. you glance over at aphmau again, who is glancing between the two boys with a look of utter bewilderment.

“in any case, if you’re interested in having some close friends, you should check us out. we usually hang out at this park to talk and do group activities, so feel free to stop by.” gene’s hooded eyes dart from aphmau’s back to mine.

“uh, thanks… i’ll think about it.”

“no.” laurance sharply interjects.

“huh?” aphmau questions. 

“laurance used to be in our group, but he wasn’t hardcore enough.” gene vaguely explains, but it’s enough for you to know which side to take in this situation. especially as he crosses his arms, the faint smell of a musky cologne mixed with a cigarette meeting your nose.

“what?” aphmau questions again, seemingly too naive to understand what’s happening here.

“we’re walking away,” laurance grits.

“a guy who walks away from his problems? i wouldn’t want to be with someone like that.” the boy under the tree taunts, his lips curving up into a smirk.

“so true, zenix.” the girl replies, her dark shadowed lids narrowing in amusement.

“come on. let’s go somewhere else.” laurance’s hands grab both yours and aphmau’s arm, dragging you away from the group.

“what?” aphmau repeats like a broken soundboard, still not catching on.

“you used to be cool, laurance!” gene calls out after the three of you. 

you quickly make your way from the group, finding yourselves on a bridge that went over the river. laurance releases you from his grip, sighing irritatedly and crossing his arms to try to calm himself down.

“laurance? what was that about?” aphmau seems exasperated in her confusion at this point.

“gene and his gang.” he poorly elaborates as he glares back at where you came from.

“gene… oh wait, dante’s older brother?” she puts a finger on her chin.

“you know dante?”

“uh, kinda. we’ve met.”

“anyways, gene is the leader of his group of “mischief makers” at school. they’re delinquents really. they call themselves the “shadow knights”. it’s… real stupid. in any case, they’re bad apples, so you two shouldn’t hang out with them.”

“sounds like you know that from personal experience.  when he said “you used to be cool”… did you?…” you tilt your head.

“when i was a freshman, i thought their group was cool because they were so confident and just seemed… well, anyways, they just like to cause drama and rebel against any authority. gene isn’t as crazy when he’s around dante, but he’s definitely encouraged his recent outgoing spurt.”

“oh, i see…” aphmau nods. 

“yeah, i highly recommend not talking to them. you should stay away from them in general.” laurance uncrosses his arms, taking another deep breath and rolling his shoulders back.

“hey guys!” a familiar deep and smooth voice calls out. 

aphmau’s eyes widen as she whips around. all of our attention turns to garroth, who gives a small wave in our direction. his hands are pocketed inside his navy blue and gold letterman jacket. he wore a simple neat white tee underneath, paired with light wash jeans and dark red sneakers. bright white teeth flash at us as his mouth widens into a perfect model smile.

“hey, garroth!” laurance greets with equal cheeriness.

“you didn’t tell me they were gonna be here too?”

laurance scratches the nape of his neck, ruffling the wavy strands that flipped out messily into his fingers. he seems much more relaxed than he was mere moments ago, his posture lax as an easygoing chuckle left his lips.

“yeah, i invited them last minute, my bad. plus… i knew you’d be late.”

“what, you have their phone numbers?” garroth turns to you and aphmau with a pout. “wow, i see you’ve picked a favorite friend over me already?”

yours and aphmau’s jaws drop open and you make a shocked noise as you try to come up with a response before crossing your arms as garroth and laurance begin to laugh at you.

“if you want my number you can just say so,” you clear your throat, satisfied with the way garroth’s ears redden in embarrassment.

laurance clutches his stomach and belts out a laugh, clapping the now quiet blonde on the back before wrapping his arm around your shoulder.

“wow, you actually made him shy for once!” he cackles. “stay humble, garroth.”

garroth finally gathers his bearings, rolling his eyes at his best friend’s exaggeration.

“shut up.”

you cover your grin and snicker, hoping your cheeks weren’t as red as they felt.

“i was just messing with you, but i really don’t mind sharing numbers if you want.”

“oh? so i’m just a side piece to you now? leaving me for garroth?” laurance waggles his brows, leaning into you with an insufferable smirk on his lips.

you shove him off with a groan, now being the one to roll your eyes at the very charismatic boy. 

“oh, whatever.”

you turn to aphmau, who had gone very quiet, and is now blinking up at the three of you with her mouth slightly agape. laurance and garroth curiously turn their attention to the girl as well, causing her to snap out of her awkward daze.

“oh! um,” she clears her throat. “the sun is getting kinda hot, wanna go sit on that bench under that tree?”

☆

the four of you end up talking for almost half an hour about whatever random topic came to mind. you learned garroth has two little brothers, both of them being in aphmau’s class, laurance likes to cook dinner for his family some nights, and aphmau is obsessed with cats.

a car honk interrupts your train of thought, and you hear sylvanna’s voice shout from out of sight, somewhere behind the two taller boys who blocked your vision.

“aphmau! i’m going to the store and i was wondering… wait, are those boys you’re with?!” she yells, uncaring of who hears as her voice projects from the car window.

“oh wow…” you start to cackle, buckling over from where you sat on the bench as aphmau’s cheeks burn from embarrassment.

“mom! you said you trusted me!!”

“well, i do! and i’m respecting your privacy by staying in the car! but you said you were gonna meet with-“ you decide to fully stand, sparing aphmau from further mortifying humiliation as you cheerfully wave at the woman.

“hi miss sylvanna!”

“-oh, hi mija! i’m glad to see you’re here!” she completely switched her tone, giving you a cutesy little wave with a bright smile.

“this is so embarrassing…” aphmau covers her face, groaning into her hand. “i’m sorry, guys…”

“it’s fine, my dad is that way about my sister, too.” laurance waves off the apology, giving the poor anxiety ridden girl a lax smile.

garroth shrugs, scratching the nape of his neck as he looks over at sylvanna.

“i can feel her staring into my soul…”

you snicker, and aphmau releases a deep sigh.

“um, sorry to cut this short, but i’m gonna go with her to the store. i’m gonna have a talk with her about her telling problem.”

“no worries, we’ll see you at school.”

she nods, mumbling a, “for sure,” before waving and awkwardly walking over to the red car.

garroth opens his mouth like he wants to say something, before quietly sighing and pressing his lips together.

“hey, i’m gonna go say hi to her but i’ll be right back,” you say, jogging after aphmau to her mom’s vehicle before waiting for a response.

as the younger girl clambers into the passenger seat with a pout, you near sylvanna’s still rolled down window. she smiles up at you in her athleisure wear outfit and cute ponytail.

“hi! gonna go grocery shopping?” you ask, smiling cheerfully at the woman to hopefully relieve some tension.

she nods enthusiastically, gripping onto the steering wheel as her shoulders shrug up in excitement.

“yep! i’m going to try a new recipe for dinner tonight! a friend of mine sent it to me. it's gonna be supes delish!”

you giggle at her strange way of acting young and hip.

“sounds good!”

“if you want, you can come have dinner with us tonight!”

you raise your eyebrows at the invitation, feeling a genuine, giddy smile lift on your lips.

“wow, really? i’ll ask my mom but i’m sure i can come.”

“great! i’ll see you later, sweetie!”

“bye! bye, aph!” you wave at your friend, who is still slumped in her seat.

she halfheartedly waves back, before you step back onto the sidewalk and begin to return to the two boys. as sylvanna slowly lets off the breaks and rolls up the window, you can already hear them begin to bicker.

“are you mad at me, mija?”

“yes!”

you snort and shake your head, quickly pacing back to garroth and laurance with a small grin on your face. they seem to be having a strangely serious conversation as they reset their elbows on their knees, speaking to each other in low voices.

“i’m back. having a secret meeting without me?” you announce, not wanting to awkwardly overhear something private.

the two flinch, straightening up in surprise at your approach. laurance leans back, scratching the side of his head while garroth looks up at you with wide eyes.

“uh, just kidding…”

they both laugh off their weird behavior, standing and stretching from the bench. laurance raises his arms in the air, before resting one on garroth’s shoulder and leaning closer to you. you suddenly feel dwarfed by the two boys in front of you. is this how aphmau feels all the time?

“we were just… arguing over something. hey, do you like soccer or baseball more?”

garroth strangely glares at laurance from the corner of his eye, before quietly looking back at you for your answer. your nose wrinkles in confusion.

“huh?”

weren’t they the captains of each team?

“just answer.”

“uhh, well i’m more familiar with baseball…”

you watch as garroth’s eyes light up, and he elbows laurance’s side with a… very cute giggle. laurance pouts, falling onto his friend's shoulder similarly to a wet noodle and stumbling over dramatically.

“you should come watch some of the games when it’s baseball season, then.

“but soccer is cooler! you should come watch the soccer team.”

you huff out a nervous laugh, tugging on a loose strand of hair as you try to think of a smooth way to turn off the bright spotlight that had been put on you. 

“well- um- i think… both are cool…”

nailed it.

laurance snorts, covering his eyes for a moment as he laughs at you. you think you hear a small “cute” between his quiet giggles and suddenly your feet are much more interesting than the faces of the two boys in front of you.

“then you can come to watch both of us, deal?” he extends out his pinky finger to you.

“yeah, that sounds like fun, actually!”

your pinky locks with his, but when you try to pull away he pinches your finger between his.

“garroth you have to also be in the pinky promise? what are you doing?” laurance sasses the blonde boy who stood slightly taller next to him.

he sighs, before reaching forward and linking his pinky around the two of yours.

“it’s a deal.”

☆

you hop out onto the front porch, leaning back in the doorway to call out to your parents before shutting the door behind you.

“i’ll be back in a bit!”

your eyes trail along the tree-lined neighborhood as your feet meet the pavement, scanning the street as the early evening sun casts a foggy orange glow against the ground.

the reflection of the sun glinting against a car catches your attention, and when you focus on the offending glass your breath catches in your throat. a familiar-looking all-black suv with heavily tinted windows sits looking out of place against all of the other family vehicles on the street.

it’s not parked in front of any particular house, and the sun reflects too brightly on the dark windows to see if anyone is sitting inside. you swallow down the thick saliva that had begun to coat your mouth, clearing your throat as you kept your eyes trained on the suv.

no. you moved far away and so suddenly. they wouldn’t have found you so quickly. it’s just your imagination. plenty of people have that type of vehicle. you’re overthinking. you’re overthinking.

the sidewalk leading up to the red door in front of you seems longer than the last time you were here, and you couldn’t have stretched your stride out any further as you held yourself back from sprinting the distance. your heart thuds erratically, pushing against your rib cage as you attempt to knock as casually as you can against the wood.

the door lifts almost immediately from beneath your knuckles, revealing a familiar comforting warm face—your saving grace. her excited smile loses its charm as the corners of her mouth drop.

“are you okay sweetie? you look like you’ve seen a ghost…”

she steps up to you, placing her hand against your clammy forehead to check for a temperature. when she doesn’t sense you’re sick, her sepia tinted eyes scan behind you, a fierce looking protectiveness in them as she guides you into her home.

“i’m fine… i’m probably just hungry,” you laugh it off, the noise sounding forced and your voice wobbling uneasily.

she stares at you for a moment, lips pursing as she rests her hands on your shoulders, the cool metal of her gold rings somehow helping you calm down. she seems to let go of your anxious state, humming in slight disbelief as she guides you toward the kitchen.

“well, i have the perfect solution to that.”

aphmau stands by the fridge, sipping on a pepsi and grabbing another one out of the fridge. she’s changed out of her earlier outfit, instead wearing a casual red tee and gray sweat shorts.

“hi!”

“hey!” you grab the can from her, returning the smile she gives you. “thanks.”

sylvanna clears her throat, gesturing to the oven in front of her. in one large saucepan was some pasta with a cheesy, orange sauce mixed in, next to a pan with some delicious-smelling chicken breast.

“spicy rigatoni! and some chicken to go with it. i didn’t add too much paprika because i wasn’t sure how much spice you could handle. but i promise it’s gonna be so delish, yo!”

“i love spicy food. it sounds delicious! thank you, sylvanna.”

“aw, of course mija! now both of you get your plates first and we can eat at the table!”

you gratefully pile your serving into one of the pretty talavera bowls she handed you, and soon the three of you sit at their polished dining table.

“so,” sylvanna suddenly instigates, leaning towards you with a fiery look in her eyes. “who were those boys you two were with earlier, hm?”

aphmau groans, thudding her head back against her dining chair and dramatically sliding down.

“mom.”

“i’m just curious!” she giggles, before comically turning serious again. “but seriously.”

“uhhh…” you laugh nervously, poking into your dish with your fork. “they’re some friends aphmau and i made. they’re in my class so i talk to them a lot. they’re pretty nice, actually.”

she hums with her eyes narrowed, before clearing her throat with an uneasy look.

“well, even if boys seem nice, don’t trust them. you never know their intentions.”

you blink at her grave tone and scary expression, nodding stiffly. aphmau pinches the bridge of her nose, shaking her head and distracting herself by shoving some pasta in her mouth. sylvanna laughs loudly, waving her hand and moving on to another topic.

“anyways, how is school for you so far?”

“um, the classes are pretty easy so far, actually. but it is only the first week.”

“have you run into anyone mean?”

your eyes dart to amber ones, and aphmau merely gives you a pleading look of refusal in return, her cheeks full of pasta.

“…no.”

“good! if either of you run into trouble you tell me and i will take care of it! you may not be my daughter but i’m close enough with your mom to take care of you like one, okay?”

you nod, and the home cooked meal suddenly felt a lot warmer in your stomach.

“thank you.”

©starhvney, 2024. please do not steal or repost my works as your own

tag list: @orinlin @pain-in-the-ashe @youmake1mistake

[kimerawrt]

Dannymay 2024, now with kitty paws!

Prompts from my AU, also in AO3

Day 22: Song llyric

On a Saturday afternoon, the sun was shining upon the Amity Park Park. Yes they know it is an awful name but it's their park. It was a beautiful day, perfect to hang out outside with friends and family. It would have been the perfect day to relax, if it wasn't for the giant crab ghost destroying everything on sight.

The ghost wasn't aware that it was destroying buildings and trees alike. It wasn't smart enough to comprehend that the small creatures around it were alive and the crab wasn't. This was the case for most animal ghosts, not that it made Danny’s life easier.

Danny, the cat half ghost staring at the giant crab, groaned in annoyance. His current form was that of an orange kitten with dark brown marks moving alongside his body like a cuttlefish mating display. Besides his weird fur and green eyes without pupils, Danny was extremely adorable. His fur and body were shaped in a literal ball of fluff. He was very round and even his eyes were huge and adorable.

That wouldn’t help to fight the ghost but Danny had no choice in the matter.

“Don't you have enough pictures already?” Sam asked the techno-geek of the group.

“Just a few more and a video going around and I'll finish” Tucker said. This was one of the cutest forms Danny had ever taken and Tucker was sure that it would become extremely popular on the internet.

Danny sighed and stood still until Tucker was done. It was a good thing that the filming teen only took some seconds to do it as the ghost crab was getting closer to them.

“I'm done!” Tucker exclaimed cheerfully.

“Nya!” Danny made a cute sound that Sam made sure to capture in her phone.

Now that he didn't have to pose for the videos Tucker makes, Danny ran towards the crab ghost. It didn't take long for the halfa to defeat the ghost using laser eyes and super powerful kitty smashes with his fluffy paws. At the end, the ghost crab was turned over and seemed unable to put itself back upright, Sam took the opportunity and capture the ghost in the Fenton Thermos before anything else could happen.

“Nya nya!” Danny felt very proud of himself.

He was about to turn back into his human form, when he heard a dreaded sound.

“Oh dios mio! It’s the cute kitty!”

Paulina and Star appeared from behind the corner and started to gush about the cute kitten that defeated the ghost. Both girls were fans of the cats in the videos that kept the town safe from ghosts. Though they became fanatics when the cats were cute and had done a lot to try and lure one of them to be their pet. Not that it worked, but the girls were persistent.

Of course, they didn't know all those cats were Danny. The halfa would have accepted to visit if it wasn't for their talks about putting the cute kittens in pink dresses. Danny was not going to be dressed up as a doll no matter what.

As he didn’t want them to know it was him, Danny ran away still in his cute cat form.

“The kitty is getting away” Star pointed at the escaping cat with a sad pout on her face.

“After him!” Paulina ordered. She was going to get one of those cats one day. She was not going to give up on getting one of the cutest kittens ever.

“Mamma mia” Tucker watched dreamily. Danny was so lucky to be chased by pretty girls.

“Here we go again” Sam mumbled, knowing that Danny would hide somewhere in her house. 

The popular girls never looked there.

(Song: Mamma mia from Abba)

[pink-tonic]

Realization🔪

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It's Saturday, and this would be the day where I sleep in. But even though it's a Saturday, that wasn't going to happen today.

My alarm is off, but my phone keeps vibrating. In a groggy state of mind, I harshly grab my phone and take a look at who is calling me.

It's Aso.

Why is he calling so early in the morning?

I answer his call and put the phone up to my ear.

"Hello?"

"So you are awake!"

"Yeah. What happened?"

"What do you mean? Nothing happened."

"I'm asking why you're calling me so early?"

"Oh! I'm calling because we should hang out!"

Suddenly, my conversation from yesterday with Aso comes back to me. I remember that I told him that I would tell him how I'm feeling.

"Hello?" Aso's voice comes through, wondering why I suddenly went silent.

"Yeah... Let's hang out."

"Sweet! I'll come to you, so send me your location!"

He hangs up, and I'm left with my thoughts.

What am I going to do?

Am I really going to tell Aso how I feel about (Y/N)?

Well, I have no other choice.

I send Aso my location, and he responds with a thumbs up. I should start to get ready.

I get up from my bed and go over to my closet. I grab my green long-sleeve shirt, denim jeans, black socks, and my black sneakers.

When I finish tying my shoes, I hear a knock at the door. I get up and walk downstairs and answer the door.

"Hey, Ayato!" Aso happily greets me and goes in for a hug. His sudden action catches me off guard, but I accept his hug anyway.

The hug only lasts a few seconds before he breaks the hug.

"Okay, so I know how sad you were yesterday, so I decided to plan something to make you feel better!" Aso reveals to me.

"What are we going to do?"

"Okay, so first we are going to rent out some bikes!" Aso tells me the first part of his plan.

I frown at his plan, I'm not currently in the mood to bike around town.

Aso notices my frown, "C'mon, Ayato! It's gonna be fun, trust me!"

I can't help but give in, "Fine. Keep going."

"Okay, so we'll bike around town, right? Then we'll go to the local indoor swimming pool. My uncle owns it, and he hired this guy to paint a mural or something. I think it would be fun if we joined! Then we'll stop by the town and go to the beach so we can swim together!"

It sounds like a lot, but I decide to agree to it. I need to take my mind off of how I'm feeling, and maybe this small trip can make me sort out my feelings.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

When we finally have our bikes for the day, we start to bike around the town.

The town doesn't have anything interesting in it, it's just the same as always.

We then bike by the beach, and it looks a lot more lively than it did a few days ago. Which makes sense since it's daytime, and the weather is warmer.

"I can't wait to come by here at the end of the day!" Aso tells me as we bike past the busy beach.

I only give him a nod, which I think he fails to see since he is so occupied looking at the beach. I'm sure he is imagining the cool waves hitting his body and the feeling of the sand against his skin.

We keep on biking, and then we make it to a park. I can vaguely remember this park when I was younger, but the memories I can remember aren't too great. I remember sitting by myself as I watched other kids play. My dad would usher me to join them, and I would try my best to do so, but they would bully me until I left. I would eventually walk away, and we would go back to square one.

But in the back of my mind, I can recall one good memory. It's with (Y/N). I remember that we were on the swings, and he was pushing me. This was around the time when we first started being friends, and he didn't fully understand why I didn't show any emotions.

While he was pushing me, a group of kids from school came by. The memory itself feels foggy, but I can still clearly remember what they said to us.

"(Y/N), are you seriously with that freak?" A girl asked from the group.

"Hey! Don't call him that!" (Y/N) responded with anger.

"Ditch him and come play with us! That Aishi kid is just a weirdo!" Another kid commented.

"Yeah! He doesn't even smile or cry! He doesn't feel anything at all!" One more kid jumped in.

"Well, I don't care about that! Ayato is nice to me, and I want to be his friend! Just leave us alone," (Y/N) told them. I remember they walked away from us after that.

I don't know what to feel right now after remembering that memory. A part of me wants to become further attached to (Y/N), but at the same time, I don't want to.

My heart aches but also beats faster at the same time. He didn't know he could bring out two emotions in me at the same time.

I grip the handles of the bike harder than before, and I keep pedaling with more force. I want to leave the park as fast as possible.

The rest of the journey is nice and peaceful, and we eventually make it to the indoor swimming pool. At the front, Aso and I spot a man setting up to paint the wall. Another man is helping out as well.

Aso quickly gets off his bike and runs over to one of the men. He almost makes the guy fall down as he tackles him into a hug.

They greet each other, and Aso explains to him that he is here to help paint the wall. The man looks delighted and pats Aso on the back.

Aso goes over to me and grabs me by my wrist. I hobble off of the bike, and it lands on the ground with a thud.

"Uncle! This is my friend Ayato! We met in my club, and he decided to come and help out too!" Aso gives a quick introduction about me.

"Hi, there! It's nice to know that my nephew has some great friends to accompany him!" His uncle puts his hand out for me to shake it.

I return the gesture back, and he grips my hand. I'm taken off guard by his strength, but I try my best to ignore it.

"Alright, let's get to painting!" Aso exclames as he walks over to the various paint buckets and picks up a brush. I go over towards him and do the same.

We are instructed on what to do, and then we start painting.

I'm not the best painter, and it shows as I continue to paint. I look over to Aso, and his painting isn't too good either, I would even argue that his is worse than mine.

Aso catches me looking and smiles at me. "It doesn't have to be a masterpiece, Ayato! The point of this is to make whatever you want," he turns his head and looks at all the other children that have joined.

The children are painting messy stick figures, leaving different color handprints, and drawing all sorts of animals.

"Just have fun with it, alright? I brought you here to cheer you up!" Aso tells me before going back to painting.

He's right. The whole point of this is to have fun.

I continue to paint, but I'm just drawing things that can be considered 'safe'. Rainbows, cats and dogs, stick figures, and so on. But then I get an idea. I want to do it, but it'll remind me of him again.

I decide to paint it.

I end up painting (Y/N)'s favorite stuffed animal. I try to remember every detail of it. To the colors, pose, and features of the stuffed animal.

I was so absorbed in my painting that I didn't notice Aso looking over me and watching me paint.

"That's looking good!" He compliments my work, and I turn around to look at him.

"Thanks."

"It's kind of cute. What inspired you to make it?"

"It's just something that I remembered when I was younger."

"Alright, cool, cool. But you need to finish up soon."

I look around, and I notice that most of the kids have left already, and the sun is starting to set.

I decide to hurry up and finish the last few details on the painting. With one final stroke, I finish the painting. I step away from the wall, and I look at everything.

The wall is filled with different drawings and an array of colors. It's not the prettiest thing ever, but it does have a lot of personality.

"Do you like how it turned out?" Aso asks me and stands next to me, "I don't like being super sappy, but it kind of reminds me of childhood. But I guess that's a given since a bunch of the artists are children."

Aso then gives me a pat on the back, "Alright, now how about we head to the beach! I'm ready to take a swim with you!"

I can then hear Aso walk away from me and over to our bikes. I can hear him pick it off from the ground. I look over to him and follow him.

We then get on our bikes and go back the way we came.

The trip back into town feels shorter, but that could be because Aso was pedaling faster than before, and I had to keep up with him.

By the time we make it to the beach, the sky is now dark. Everyone who I saw earlier on the beach are now gone, and it's just Aso and me once more.

Aso bikes as close as he can to the beach, but once the sand takes over the ground, he gets off his bike and starts taking off his clothes.

That's when I remember that I don't have a swimsuit.

I see Aso rush towards the cold water now in his yellow swim trunks. When he goes into the water, a big splash is made. He takes his arm from under the water and waves over to me.

"Ayato, get in! It's cold, but it feels super nice!" Aso happily exclames as he swims further into the ocean.

I get off my back and step into the sand. Before I walk further, I take off my shoes and place them next to my bike.

I walk closer to the water, and with each step, I can feel the sand get in-between my toes. The feeling feels familiar yet foreign. Sure, I was here last week, but I was only an observer to Aso's actions, I wasn't a part of it.

I see that Aso stops swimming and looks over to me. He happily waves his hands around, ushering me to join him.

"I don't have my swimming trunks on me," I tell him softly, hoping I don't have to talk louder.

"Just go in like that!" Aso tells me. I look down at my clothes, which would in no way be good for swimming.

"C'mon, Ayato! It's only for one day! Have some fun!"

Aso is right. It's only for one night.

I start to take off my green long-sleeve and my black socks. I'm only now left in my pants. I slowly start to step into the water, and my muscles jolt at how cold it is.

I walk further into the cold water, now feeling accustomed to the new feeling. I fully ease myself into it, and I start to swim just like how Aso taught me.

I start to swim towards him, and he happily splashes around once he sees me swimming over towards him.

"See! It's not so bad, is it?" Aso asks me as he swims over to me.

"I guess it really isn't."

For the next hour, we swim and splash around in the water.

I have never experienced this type of fun before. Not with (Y/N), Taro, or my family. I never thought I would ever feel this with Aso of all people.

After some time, Aso and I get tired, and we get out of the water. When Aso's feet first meet the sand, he collapses on top of the sand. He then has to crawl further up in order to get out of the way of the waves.

I sit myself right next to Aso, as we look out towards the water.

Aso is sitting with his legs extended outwards, while I sit with my legs under my chin and my arms wrapped around them.

"So... are you going to tell me about how you're feeling?" Aso breaks the calm silence with his question.

I don't want to call the question a sudden one. For the whole day, I felt this question weighing on us as we traveled around. He wanted to ask the question, but he didn't know when or how to do it. Well, not until now, that is.

"My feelings?" I question further, wondering if he is talking about what I'm thinking.

"Yeah, you're feelings, you know? The ones about (Y/N). Remember?" Aso adds on.

"Oh, that."

"Yeah, that," Aso says before laying down on the sand and placing his arms behind his head, "So what about it?"

I revert my eyes and look off to the side, "I don't know."

"C'mon, you gotta know something! Even if it's not fully sorted out, you gotta know something about how you're feeling!"

I pause for a few seconds before answering him. Aso doesn't seem to mind the short silence, but I start to think about (Y/N).

How does he make me feel?

When I look at him, I feel hurt but also love. I want to ask myself why, but I already know why.

My heart aches when I look at him because I know that I hurt him. A part of his body is now hurt because of me. His mind has been haunted by my presence ever since the day that I attacked him. I betrayed all the trust he gave me in under an hour, and I don't think I'll have the same friendship I once had with him.

And it hits me.

Things are never going to be the same, are they? If we do talk again, it won't be with the same playfulness as it once had. His guard will be up because he won't be able to trust me.

My heart aches further at the thought of it.

But also, when I think of him, my heart beats faster, and I start to feel nervous and dizzy. The same way I felt towards Taeko.

I'm addicted to this feeling, and (Y/N) is able to make it happen. I want him by my side, and he needs to be by my side. He can't be with the Yamada siblings anymore. He needs to be with me and only me, just like how it was when we were children.

I guess I do know how he makes me feel.

"I think I love him so much that it hurts."

Aso quickly turns his head over to me, "You're in love with him?"

I nod my head.

"I never knew you would have feelings like that towards him," Aso further comments, "But I think you should at least try to confess to him or get closer to him or something!"

Aso is right. I need to get (Y/N) back, especially from those two Yamada siblings who have taken up all of his attention away from me.

I now know what I need to do.

"You're right. I'll try doing that starting Monday."

"See, now aren't I a helpful friend?" Aso praises his own advice.

I guess I was wrong about Aso. He is a helpful person to have around.

But I need to focus less on Aso and more on (Y/N).

My sweet, (Y/N). I can't wait to have you right by my side once again.

[theretirementstory]

Greetings from Bar-sur-Aube, where the weather is 8c and mostly sunny….. hang on a minute Météo is now saying rain is due (that wasn’t forecast).

This morning, bright and early, I drove out to discover a few villages I had either seen signposts for or had just driven through, on the main road, heading elsewhere. It really does pay to look beyond that row of houses on the main road.

First I turned off the main road and drove up a hillside, the road was surrounded by trees and the dappled light coming through the tree canopy was a delight. Over the top of the hill I drove down into the village of Éclance, I didn’t park up (it’s not very big) and I continued my journey to Trannes. I had seen a sign for a lavoir but I couldn’t spot it from the car and so continued on my way. I passed the church which did look lovely but didn’t stop. The purpose of my journey was to visit La Rothiere, where on the 1st February 1814 a great battle raged between Napolian’s army and a German/Russian army. This village was a delight, I parked up on the aptly named Rue du 1er Fevrier 1814, as I was getting out of the car the distinct sound of the grues (cranes) flying towards the lakes filled the air. To my left was “La mare” a stagnant body of water with signage showing little toads which inhabit it in the spring. I then spotted a lavoir (top photo) and the church at the top of the street (second photo). I wandered around for a while then drove to the war memorial I had passed as I arrived. It was a huge memorial for such a small place (114 inhabitants) commemorating the dead of 1814, 1870-1871 and 1914-1918. Rather than drive to Dienville to see Lac d’Amance, which I suspected would be busy with people wanting to see “la grue”, I drove home. It was a wonderful way to spend a pleasant time on a Sunday.

So what else have I been up to this week…. well I visited “Count Dracula” again and had more blood taken, it was difficult to take and they didn’t seem to get a lot but it was enough and the results were with me by the afternoon.

Pauline, was in town to visit her grandmother and she called round to see me on the 1st November “Toussaint”. It was great to see her and it was such a lovely day that we even managed to sit outside for a time.

I then had a cleaner arrive to give me a hand with the housework. Well to be honest she was “more broken down” than I am. She was shuffling around and didn’t get half of the work done that I had thought she would. Next week there will be a list and to be honest if she doesn’t get a move on, she will be given the elbow. Do I expect too much, I am not sure!

I managed to book the taxi to take me to Nancy, however, speaking to the pharmacist on Saturday he said I shouldn’t go for the appointment while I have “no rights to healthcare” as it could cost a lot of euros and it may not be refunded 😳.

I went to a (free) concert in Dienville with Anie and her friend Monique (she drove us there), it was the “orchestre aubois des jeunes” it was wonderful, full of energy and the hall was packed! I was out late (that’s not like me) and it was 10.30pm when we got back to Anie’s and I had to drive home! No problems so that was good.

I have had my flu jab, am due to take my last antibiotic this lunchtime and hopefully I will be feeling ok for a while longer.

“The Daddy” flew to Amsterdam on Thursday, he should arrive back in the UK today. My gorgeous grandson, threw his head back and managed to give “The Mummy” a black eye! My gorgeous granddaughter is doing really well in school and it was lovely to see a video of her reading , using her finger under the words and building up the letters, wow I remember learning to read that way too.

“The Paralegal” who is also the hospital visitor, was on that duty yesterday but not before he had been out shopping for himself. He has had a “happy new haircut” and hopefully he will be “making a list, checking it twice” not because he is Santa but just to aid him through the coming weeks.

I found this short poem and thought it apt, Risk by Anais Nin

“And then the day came,

when the risk to remain tight in a bud

was more painful

than the risk it took to blossom.”

Oh yes, I have purchased Xmas cards and stamps, so must get organised writing those. It doesn’t seem much like Xmas being around the corner does it?

I am now going to eat my lunch, and then catch up on a few jobs before I settle down to some knitting or stitching up.

Have a good week until next week!

[theopenbookwigtown]

Day 1 at The Open Book was a whirlwind! We were a bit tired from our adventures getting here - Google Maps took us the scenic route, which would've been nice if not for the fog that rolled in while we were up a narrow road on a cliff's edge in Galloway Forest Park. Luckily, we dodged all the guinea fowl, deer, and frogs hopping across the road to get to the store just half an hour late. After setting up a display for Women's History Month and a travel display featuring places we've been, my mom and I went for a walk to get the lay of the land. Wigtown is a dream come true for book lovers like us! I'm an author and my mom was a newspaper editor, so we're both big readers. I can already tell that our biggest challenge will be keeping our suitcase under airline weight by the time we leave Wigtown! Total visitors: 10 Total sales: £2.00

On Day 2 we started to find our rhythm. We figured out our opening times for the week - aiming for around 10am-3pm most days! And we got our signs hung. I also made a flyer for the event we're hosting this Saturday. My Canva skills are not great, but thankfully several friendly people around town let us hang the poster in their windows anyway!

Everyone here is so welcoming. We've met so many interesting people already, including another Ellen who works at the Farm Shop! (It's rare to meet Ellens in our age range, we both agreed.)

On my way into New Chapter Books to drop off a flyer, I got roped into helping out with a photoshoot. We were aiming for a Dali-inspired image with books flying through the frame, but I'm not sure how close to the original we came.

After sacrilegiously tossing several romance novels around, I stopped by The Old Bank Bookshop, where I picked up an intriguing-looking fantasy novel about booksellers from Joyce and Ian. As a fantasy author and a temporary bookseller (at least for this week!) the Left-Handed Booksellers of London seems right up my alley. We popped into The Galloway Bar for a wee dram of scotch to warm us up before heading back home for the night.

Before I dive too deep into my new book, though, I need to finish reading the copy of Jessica's memoir. I love reading about Wigtown while I'm here - it makes the whole story really come alive!

We didn't have many visitors today, due to the rain, but I'm excited to see what tomorrow will bring. Total Visitors: 5 Sales: £5.50

[bisexualbumblebee-writes]

Our Lives Chapter 1: Moving In- Robin Buckley x OC

Robin Buckley x Wendy Thimble

Description: After Robin moves into her new dorm room, she gets a delightful surprise when meeting her roommate. 

Word Count: 2k

A/N: And we have come to another mini series! This was written for my 400th fic celebration and I'm honestly surprised I got this far haha. Anyways, enjoy!!

It was March 16, 1987, a.k.a. Spring Break. That meant it was nearing the end of Spring semester in 1987, and Summer school would be coming up soon for colleges around the country. That meant that people would begin moving into their dorms in preparation for either the upcoming Summer semester or the farther away Fall semester. Normally, teenagers would be excited about that because that meant moving on and finally starting their lives now that they were unencumbered by high school expectations or their parents. 

For Robin and Wendy, however, it was a different story. March 13th marked their two year anniversary since they started dating, but things had been a dream since the beginning. It had also officially been the one year anniversary since Hawkins basically went to hell. And yet, through the many changes that the town went through, they stayed together. They were both happy with each other and they truly loved each other. Though they were going strong, big decisions had to be made involving their futures. 

Robin had been accepted into a school that was just one town over on a marching band scholarship and she was happy with that. She was going to school without having to pay student loans in the future and she still got to be close to her friends still as the school was just half an hour away). Wendy, meanwhile, was given a few offers but she had yet to accept any of them. She knew what she wanted her major to be, but she just couldn’t decide on a school yet. Most of them were pretty far away, and she had no idea if she wanted to be so far from her friends and family. 

The one she was most worried about was Robin, though. Though it realistically felt irrational, Wendy was nervous that them being apart from each other would put them in a rocky place. And, though Robin hadn’t explicitly said it, Wendy had a distinct feeling that she felt the same. Of course with a…unique relationship like this, things just felt different. Lesbian relationships were practically unheard of and it made them all the more worried about it. But, Robin already accepted the scholarship and it was for something that made her happy, so no matter what Wendy would make sure that she stayed there. 

The college didn’t have dorms as it wasn’t quite big enough, but there were apartments right beside the school that provided housing that was much cheaper than the other surrounding complexes. Wendy still hadn’t made an academic decision when Robin came up to her and asked for help moving into and decorating her new apartment’s room. For a moment fear struck her because that meant that this was all becoming real, and that Robin was actually moving away. Nevertheless she smiled and agreed. 

That next Saturday when she pulled into Robin’s driveway and honked to alert her girlfriend that she was there. Once Robin opened the door Wendy hopped out of the car and helped her pack all her things into the car. Once everything was inside, they climbed into the car and drove off. The entire half hour was spent jamming out to music with the windows down. For a fleeting moment they felt at peace. 

Then, finally, they pulled into the parking lot. They grabbed as much as they could before making their way up to Robin’s designated apartment. It was decently sized with two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room and a kitchen. Robin chose the slightly bigger bedroom because “the early bird gets the worm,” and so they began setting up. Beds were already provided for them (as were most of the big furniture like dressers, nightstands and the couch) so while Robin got to work making the bed, Wendy got to work on hanging up posters and pictures Robin had brought. 

A small smile appeared on her face as she hung up a picture of the two of them. It’d been taken while the whole friend group was hanging out. Will’s Aunt Judith let him borrow her camera and told him to work on his photography skills. So, he went around taking pictures of everyone. This particular picture had been taken when Robin and Wendy were laughing at something that Eddie said. Wendy’s head had been on Robin’s shoulder while the girl’s arm was wrapped around her waist as they laughed. 

She remembered the time fondly as she hung it up with the others. As she continued to work, her eyes slowly moved past the room’s still open door and stopped on the other untouched bedroom. 

“So, have you met your roommate yet?” 

“Nah,” Robin answered a little distractedly as she moved around a few pillows, trying to figure out how she wanted them. “The apartment manager assigns us roommates, but I haven’t been given one as far as I know. They usually try to pair up people with the same gender, so I’ll most likely get a girl as my roommate.” Wendy hummed in response before looking back at her with a teasing grin. 

“Just try not to fall in love with her, okay?” It was meant as a joke, but both Robin and she could hear the twinge of uncertainty in her tone. 

“Why would I when I got a babe like you?” Robin joked in response, which successfully broke the tension. The couple laughed as they got back to work decorating. 

Over the next week Wendy came over a few more times either with groceries or a few more decorations. The days that she couldn’t come over they would talk on the phone. They didn’t talk about anything in particular, nor was it anything consequential, but they both always hung up with smiles on their faces. Usually Wendy hated not being able to see her girlfriend, but she’d been working on something that required some time away. She made up for it, though. 

“So, have they assigned you a roommate yet?” Wendy asked one day, twirling the cord of her phone absentmindedly. 

“Yeah, actually,” Robin answered, a surprised lilt in her voice. “Management sent me a notice this morning. My roommate moves in this Saturday.” 

“Ooh, that’s fun. Did they give you any names?” 

“Nope. All I know is that she’s a girl and she moves in May 23, so tomorrow,” Robin informed her. 

“That’ll be exciting. Just try not to fall in love with her, yeah?” Once again she was joking, and this time they noticed that she was no longer uneasy about the idea. It made a smile form on Robin’s face. 

“I think I can manage that,” she responded simply. 

Finally, Saturday rolled around. Robin had gotten up bright and early to make sure she had enough time to get ready. She wanted to make sure that she made a good impression with the girl she’d be living with for at least the next year. It’d probably be a bad omen if they didn’t end up getting along. 

She’d pulled out all the stops. As usual, she showered that morning, then spent the next hour and a half deciding what to wear. Usually it only took a few minutes to decide but, to reiterate, she wanted to make a good impression. She wanted an outfit that wasn’t too formal, but she didn’t want it to look like she just rolled out of bed and put on the first thing she grabbed. There were several times she debated on calling Wendy for advice, but her girlfriend had informed her yesterday that she’d be pretty busy tomorrow and may not be home for a few hours, so that was unfortunately out of the question. 

Sweatpants and leggings were out of the picture, so she decided on a nice pair of blue jeans. She also didn’t want to wear too nice of a blouse because her roommate may need help moving stuff in and sweating in a formal blouse would just be embarrassing. But, at the same time, t-shirts were way too casual, so she needed a middle ground. So, a plain and slightly cropped green shirt was the way to go. 

Once that was figured out, she worked on her hair and makeup. She chose not to deviate from her normal style so it took no time at all to finish getting ready. Now that everything else was out of the way, she ate breakfast then sat in the living room to wait for her new roommate there. She was almost too anxious to sit still, but she eventually grabbed a pillow on the couch and clutched it so she would have something to hold onto and mess with while she waited. 

Finally, after what felt like hours (though it probably wasn’t longer than just one) later, Robin’s ears perked up when she heard the front door unlock. She stood up and hurriedly  flattened down her hair despite it being almost perfect, taking a deep breath afterwards. She listened to the front door open then close, then a voice called out to her. 

“Hello? Anyone home?” 

“Wendy?” She questioned curiously, walking towards the front door. Sure enough, Wendy stood in front of the door with a bin of indiscernible items. A smile appeared on the girl’s face when she noticed her girlfriend. 

“Hey Robin,” she greeted happily. “Thank god, I got scared and thought you weren’t home then it would’ve been really awkward because I’d announce my presence to an empty apartment.” The girls laughed, though Robin was still confused. 

“Um, babe, not that I’m not happy to see you because believe me I am, but I’m still kinda waiting for my room…” she trailed off slowly as things began connecting in her mind, and her brows furrowed. She’d never given Wendy an extra key. There were only supposed to be two; one for her and one for…

Wendy watched her girlfriend piece the pieces together with an amused look. She always looked so cute when she was thinking. Finally after a minute or two Robin’s eyes widened and an excited gasp escaped her lips. 

“Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, you’re my roommate?” She questioned ecstatically, practically jumping up and down. A small laugh left Wendy’s lips as she nodded. 

“The school offers a great writing program and after I sent in my essay they offered me a scholarship. I talked to the apartment’s management and asked if I could be paired up with you since we already knew each other,” she explained. “It’ll be practice for when we actually get a house together, you know?” Robin’s eyes softened at her explanation. 

“You wanted to go to school here for me?” She asked softly, earning a slightly unsure nod from the girl. 

“I hope it’s okay that I did this. I mean I probably should have asked because maybe you wanted to meet someone new and I may have just ruined that because I was insecure about you meeting other girls. Oh my god did you want to meet new people? Wait, I shouldn’t have said that part about me being insecure but I guess it’s probably best to be out in the open with my feelings but I don’t want to drag you-”

Her very nervous rant was suddenly cut off by Robin grabbing her face and pulling her into a kiss. Though surprised, she quickly reciprocated it, carefully dropping the bin in her hand so nothing broke while she wrapped her arms around Robin’s waist. When they pulled away for air they both had wide smiles on their faces. Robin leaned her forehead against Wendy’s as they stared into each other’s eyes. 

“Wendy this is the best case scenario for being assigned a roommate,” she muttered softly as she rubbed her thumb over the apple of the girl’s cheek. “You are the best possible person to live with and I’m so glad you did this. Understand?” Wendy kept silent as she nodded in response, but she couldn’t hide smile from widening. 

“Yeah,” she whispered, leaning in to give her another chaste kiss. 

“Alright, want some help decorating your new room?” Robin asked once they pulled away. 

“Thought you’d never ask,” the girl responded with a toothy grin. They pulled away from each other then Wendy leaned down to pick up the bin before following Robin into her new room. It was safe to say that they were both happy that she did this.

[1stplumberwinva]

What It's Like To Live In Winchester Virginia

I've lived in Winchester, Virginia for over a year now, and I still love it. It's a great place to be! The town itself is gorgeous, with lots of historic buildings and beautiful architecture all around. People are nice here too; they go out of their way to be friendly and helpful if you need anything. There are plenty of things to do in Winchester as well—from events at Natural Bridge State Park (where we get our water from) to shops and restaurants downtown on Main Street. Plus, the city is incredibly walkable so it's easy to get around without having a car! Plus there are tons of nearby activities like Shenandoah National Park or Skyline Drive that make it easy for people who live here or visit regularly but aren't able to travel far away very often; this place is close enough that it feels like you're getting away while still being close enough home not worry about long-term travel costs/inconveniences.

The Town Is Gorgeous

Winchester is home to many beautiful old buildings and structures. A lot of these structures were built at the turn of the century, but their style has been preserved throughout time. The downtown area is full of trees and parks, which makes it a nice place to hang out in during whatever season you choose. You can spend hours just walking around downtown Winchester and admiring all of its beauty!

People are Nice

Winchester is a lovely place to live. The people who live here are nice, and the city itself is peaceful and beautiful. It's no surprise that Winchester has been named one of the top places to live in Virginia by Money Magazine.

The people in this city are friendly and helpful towards each other, they will do anything they can to help you out if you need it, or even just give directions when you're lost! They also welcome visitors with open arms, which makes it easy for tourists to enjoy their stay here as much as locals do!

If this sounds like the kind of community where you'd want your family raised then I highly recommend Winchester Virginia!

There are plenty of things to do.

If you're looking for something to occupy your free time and get out of the house, Winchester has plenty of options. Be sure to check out the concerts at Shenandoah University, held every Friday night and Saturday afternoon throughout the year. There are also art shows and festivals taking place regularly throughout the year; stop by during one of these events if you're interested in seeing what's going on in the community.

The theater is another great way to pass time in Winchester. Whether it's comedy or drama, chances are there will be something that suits your taste. And if it's an evening when no show catches your eye? There are plenty of local restaurants where you can sit down with family or friends and enjoy some delicious food while catching up on life (or simply talking about how good that baked potato was). And if all else fails—or if this town proves too exciting for its own good—head over to one of our local breweries for some drinks with friends!

The town is incredibly walkable

You can walk to the town center in 10 minutes, where you'll find a plethora of shops and restaurants.

There's also a riverwalk that takes you right to the mall, park, and college.

If you're more into walking than driving around in your car, Winchester is perfect for you!

The Winchester, Virginia Plumber

If you are looking for a Winchester Virginia plumber, then you want to call 1st Plumber Winchester. We specialize in all types of plumbing services, including water heaters, faucets, and drains. Our team of plumbers comes out immediately to fix your problem.

I get to be close to a lot of families.

Winchester is a great place to live because you get the benefits of living in a small town with all the amenities of a big city. You’re close to family, but still, have access to everything else Virginia has to offer.

This is a great place to live!

Seriously, this is a great place to live. Okay, so there are no palm trees or sandy beaches (at least not yet). But you can get a killer tan on the golf course in the summer and fall and winter is actually pretty mild with plenty of snow days. Not only are there tons of beautiful places to visit within driving distance, but we’re also close enough to Washington DC that you can hit up fun events like the Cherry Blossom Festival or New Year's Eve fireworks at midnight on the National Mall.

1st Plumber Winchester

72 Bellview Ave Winchester VA 22601

540-202-3949

https://1stplumberwinchester.com/

[ladysmeg13]

               Why I got kicked out of the house for 3 weeks.

  The year 1977 and school just ended out of the school year I have been in the office or in trouble almost everyday except for 8 weeks added together. So looking for summer and being out of school made my year because I had finished all my groundings, stay before and after school and any other punishments for the year.

   I should have known it wasn't going to Last. The saturday started like every other day mom in the kitchen making breakfast, a cool breeze blowing through the windows and dad laughing at a comic he just read. After finishing breakfast I grab my roller skates, skateboard, tennis shoes, money and a snack. Heading up the street to the park and the phillip 66 station to the cigarette machine for a pack of camels. Walking to the park to roller skate in the shelter house.

    A couple of hours later off to the school to skateboard around and up and down all the ramps. While there my younger brother showed up so we hang out and stayed a little longer. Then headed to the post office and the shuffleboard court great for skateboarding on. Taking a break to eat are snacks and wait for the bank to close so we wouldn't have to watch out for cars because it hurts to get hit. After an hour and half everyone had cleared off leaving the whole place to ourselves including a very smooth parking lot.

     While I been skateboarding around the bank Travis started to skip rocks across the parking lot until one hit and broke the back door window of the bank. Setting off the silent alarm bringing the local cop to check it out. Being questioned by the cop I said I broke the door window and not my brother. For 2 days we were questioned and I still said the same thing I did it.

   Then it's my parents turn to hand out the punishment. Travis got kicked out for 3 day and he stayed at Terry's a friend and neighbor that lived 2 houses up the street. Me I got kicked out of the house for 3 weeks with no one to stay with. So I got an hour to get what I needed before I had to leave. I hadn't unpacked my backpack yet so I got enough food that I could carry, money and anything else I would need then I started to leave. On the kitchen table I left a letter letting my parents know I will be OK and telling them it was Travis that broke the window not me. I took the blame because it's my job to protect my brother.

   With my backpack and skateboard I headed up the street to the park first I stop and bought some hotdogs, buns ,marshmallows, chips and pop. Next stop phillip 66 station for 4 packs of camels then over to the park. Picking up enough sticks and wood to make a fire in the grills there to cook supper. I stayed at the park sleeping in the shelter house up over the restrooms so no one would see me for no more then 3 nights. Making a list of all the places I could camp at and how many days I could stay at each place without being seen. And I didn't want to explain why I was out here.

    Heading to the next place Roadman's park outside of town. I put of my tent making sure I camouflage it so it wouldn't be seen. Then I dug a hole found rock to line the hole and gathered fire wood. Grabbing my fishing gear I went to catch lunch after an hour of no luck I came back and started the fire boiled water eating 2 mug-a-lunches. Went swimming for a little while looking around to see if I could find anything to eat. Came back to camp for supper a can  of pork and beans, banana and a mountain dew. Sitting be the fire I roasted a few marshmallows and listened to my radio. Making sure the fire was out before I went to bed. Had to move to a new location the 3 days I stayed there.

     Next place another park at the other side of town. Stopping at the school to take a shower while it's open for practice and picking up something to eat for breakfast. By the time I got to the other side of town because I had to go the long way around other wise I walked by the house it's afternoon. First locate a spot out of the way next put up tent and camouflage then dig a hole, rocks and gather wood for fire took a lunch break. Walked to see if the raspberries were ready to be picked  along with an apple tree so I could have some fruit to eat.

      Each wooded area or park I stayed at for 3 or 4 days making sure I moved the camp and not to be seen by anyone. Going back to the shelter house a couple of times give me a chance to clean up and look or find supplies I would need along with a better place to sleep.

     There isn't much to do but think why I got here and all the stupid things I did that year. While making camp I decided that I better make a change in my life and school. How do I make a change I will need help with this !

        By the end of 3 1/2 weeks I been ready to come home so I started home and get there around 3:35 pm. As soon as I walked into the house mom and dad both gave me a big hug letting me know that they loved me. After taking a shower that seemed like it lasted forever mom cooked my favorites lasagna, cornbread and fresh strawberries with cream for supper. Sleeping in my own bed on clean sheets and out of the rain just what I needed.

     The next morning everything is back to normal for the rest of the summer. I was even glad when school started in august and everyday I got better at school with less times getting into trouble.

[beautifulblooms]

The Bane of My Existence, and the Object of All My Desires - Eddie Munson x Male!Reader

Male!Reader, he/him used if mentioned, so I got a lot of good reviews on my angst fic I posted earlier called “I Bite My Tongue It’s a Bad Habit”, which will be linked below, this is a part two, it’s a happy ending this time I swear, HOWEVER, there will be a sad ending posted sometime tomorrow when I wake up and write it, I’m just too set on making this end sadly, this is specifically for @alexs-playground and @eddieverse for yelling at me in vc on discord, but here it is, I hope you all enjoy a happy ending to a sad beginning

CIS Women and Female Aligned people, please DNI, this story and all of my others are for non-binary, masculine aligned and male readers!

I Bite My Tongue It’s a Bad Habit (part 1)

I Bite My Tongue It’s a Bad Habit (sad ending/part 2)

Tags: @qthetherapist, @rlmt1

It had been at least three weeks since I left, driving as far as I could on the tank of gas I already had in my car. I made it a few counties outside of Hawkins, got a cheap motel for a few days before I decided to look into a place I could make mine. A few days after being in the motel I found a simple job working the cashier stand at a grocery store, good pay for an easy job. I didn’t even want to think about Eddie, let alone Steve, so I just did my stupid little job and didn’t think of Hawkins.

The only thing I needed was a couple important documents I had left back home, in the one place I never wanted to go back. 7 in the morning I grabbed the same bag I left that shithole with and began to drive down to the familiar place I once loved. It was about 3pm by the time I made it back to Hawkins, another 10 minutes and I was at my old house, door still wide open from when I ran out and left. Parking the car I took a couple of minutes to process what I needed to do and where to go, also taking some deep breaths to remind myself I only needed to grab a couple papers from the safe. I opened the car door and made my way inside, not even bothering to shut the door as I made my way up the stairs and to my bedroom where I was honestly scared by the person laying in my bed. Sure I expected someone to sleep in the house, but I didn’t expect him to be the one laying in my bed at 3:16 on a Saturday, not the reason I left this shit town.

Slowly trying to back out of my room I knocked the door with my shoulder, fuck fuck fuck fuck, shit I need to get out of here quickly. He shot up in an instant after I bumped the door, still obviously waking up but shocked to see me of all people standing in the door way.

“(y-y/n)? Is that really you? Fuck wh-where have you been I’ve was so worried, I-I thought you died.” He stood up from my bed and made his way over to me. I wanted to yell at him to get away, run, find a way out of this but I was frozen. Eddie just hugged me around my middle and cried into my shirt, mumbling things about how much he missed me. “Where did you go, why did you leave, are you okay?” Looking up at me he was blurry eyed, tears coursing down his cheeks, welled in his eyes, face red and puffy, looks like he’d been crying earlier too.

“I’m um, I’m fine, just needed to leave this town, I’m not staying here, just grabbing some legal stuff and I’m going back.” He was starting to cry harder at my words, and began to plead with me.

“But why? Why leave this town, leave everyone, leave me? Why do you have to go far away from me?” I couldn’t take it anymore and just broke away from his arms.

“Because it’s not far enough Eddie! There isn’t a single place on this planet where I can be far enough away from you, my parents raised me well and to be an honorable man. That honor is hanging by a thread and every moment I spent around you was making that worse and worse. You are the bane of my existence, Eddie Munson, and the object of all my attractions. I have loved you since we were in middle school and it hurt so much when I saw you and Steve holding hands, kissing, being together. So yes, I have to go that far away because if I have to spend another minute in a town with you and him together, that’s not a world I want to live in.”

He couldn’t even look at me without more tears welling up, new warm streaks making their way down his cheeks. He began to sob slowly, hair falling in front of his face as he leaned his head down. I didn’t feel bad about what I said, it was relieving to say what I needed to.

“Then…then why didn’t you tell me you did?” He looked back up at me, pleading with his eyes.

“I tried, I asked you on dates, bought you gifts, but you didn’t notice, you always thought it was just me being a great friend.” In that moment I saw him begin to think back to all the things we’d done together, all the things I’d bought for him, everything that involved me. And then he began to laugh, the sobs made it difficult for him but he was still laughing.

“What’s so funny about me confessing to you?” He focused on me again, wiping the tears from his eyes trying to calm his laughter.

“Because this means me and Steve breaking up was a good thing after all.” ….what? They broke up while I was gone? How, why, what? “I caught him kissing someone else at skull rock, we were supposed to meet for a date. I yelled at him and called things off, and I couldn’t think of what to do so I came here to see you, you always knew how to make me feel better. And when you weren’t here I broke down, I thought that I had driven away the one person who actually cared about me in this town. It hurt so much when you didn’t come back, I couldn’t find you, I asked around town. But no one knew where you were.” I just stood there and stared at him, he looked for me, missed me, tried to find me?

“I’m sorry I got too obsessed with Steve, I realized later that I was neglecting you, I shouldn’t have done that and I realized it way too late. I’m so sorry (y/n), can you give me another chance?” I was looking at the floor trying to process everything, he cared about me, he was actually sorry, I need to fix this. I looked up from the floor and slowly approached Eddie, bringing a hand up to rest on his cheek to which he leaned into my hold. Slowly leaning my head down towards him, I paused a mere inch from his lips.

“Do you want this just as much as I do?” He didn’t even respond with words, only pushed his lips the last inch and pulled me into a kiss. It was rough, passionate, but somehow just as soft and caring as I hoped it would be. He only pulled away for a couple seconds at a time, catching his breath before coming back to me and leaving me breathless once more with just his lips. Pulling away again he rested his forehead on my shoulder.

“Does that answer your question?”

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

If I Fell For You (Part 5) - Date Night

Summary: The reader and Jensen go on their first fancy date together before attending a nanny happy hour the next night. The reader makes a new friend there to Jensen’s dismay but someone from the past will come along and change things between the new couple...

Masterlist

Pairing: Jensen x nanny!reader

Word Count: 4,200ish

Warnings: language, lying, angst, mention of past child abuse/assault, fluff

A/N: This a rough one, not gonna lie. Enjoy!

________

Friday Night

“Y/N, I’m downstairs when you’re ready,” said Jensen through your closed bedroom door.

“I’ll be there in five,” you said.

“See you in fifteen,” he chuckled before he walked away. You walked back into your bathroom, looking over your hair in a bun. It looked like a freaking messy bun actually. You should have done it down and in big flowy waves instead. You pouted and smoothed out your dress. Of course you were bloated and you’d nicked your leg more than once shaving earlier. 

“It’s Jensen,” you said to yourself, taking a deep breath. “He’s never even seen you in makeup before. You’re fine. He’s not gonna say anything.”

You forced yourself out of the bathroom and slipped on your heels, your clutch in your hand. You wobbled for a step or two on the carpet but did better once you were out in the hardwood hall. Ten seconds later you were downstairs, heading over to the foyer area. 

“All set?” you asked, Jensen spinning around. He smiled as he stared, eyes looking you up and down more than once, not even trying to hide it.

“Y/N, you look pretty,” said Arrow as she rushed in from the family room. 

“Yes she does,” said Jensen. “We’ll be home soon, okay?”

“Okie dokie,” she said, wandering off with a little wave.

Half an hour later you were sat at a table in a very nice restaurant, Jensen tugging on his collar. His cheeks were slightly pink but it wasn’t from the cold outside. 

“So...what’s a good wine?” you asked, sliding the drink list over to him. “I’m not really good with the names.”

“You like red or white?” he asked.

“Normally red,” you said. “You?”

“I like a Merlot,” he said. “You like dry?”

“Sure,” you said. 

“We’re not going dutch tonight you know right. This is all on me.”

“We can go dutch, Jensen.”

“I asked you out and this is fancy, even for me. My treat, okay?” he asked.

“Alright,” you said, looking around the restaurant and over in the distance to the bar. “You know I could go for a lemon drop actually.”

He smirked and set the list down, a waiter coming by. He ordered a gin and tonic for himself while you got your cocktail, Jensen breaking off part of a breadstick from the basket. 

“Bread’s good,” he said with his mouth full.

“So. Ackles,” you said, picking up a piece and tearing off a chunk with your teeth. He stared and started to laugh to himself. “Ah, there’s my sweet guy.”

“Thought you were gonna say boyfriend for a second.”

“This is our second official date,” you said. “So. Boyfriend.”

“Yes girlfriend?” he chuckled.

“What’s an appetizer look like in a place like this? Like a tiny cube of cheese with some dressing they’re gonna charge twenty bucks for or something like that?”

“You’re goofy,” he said, a big smile stuck on his face. “Uh, they probably have something like that. There’s normally some kind of bread olive oil bowl option.”

“Fancy people eat like a starving college student apparently,” you said. He tried to hide his laugh as your waiter brought over the drinks and a pair of menus. “Excuse me but can you recommend an appetizer? We’re both new to town and are wondering what you think is a good choice.”

“You can’t go wrong with our sourdough and seasoned oil dipping sauce,” he said. You glanced at Jensen and smiled. “The artichoke spinach dip and tartar crackers are also quite lovely.”

“Do you have anything with a little more substance? We’re quite starving,” said Jensen.

“The fried calamari and crab cake poppers combo is a great option,” he said.

“What’s calamari?” you asked.

“Squid, miss,” said the waiter.

“We’ll have that combo,” said Jensen.

“Perfect. I’ll put that in and be back shortly to get your dinner orders,” he said. He took off and you made a face at Jensen.

“Squid?” you asked.

“It’s fried. Trust me, it’s pretty good,” he said. “I could go for a good steak. You see a filet on here yet?”

“Uh,” you said, eyes scanning the page and seeing most everything was something you’d never heard of. 

“There it is,” he said. “I’m getting that and scalloped potatoes. See anything you want to try?”

“Uh, why does half of this seem like it’s a foreign language to me?” you asked. Jensen looked at his menu and chuckled.

“That would be because it’s in French. We’re in Canada and this is a french restaurant.”

“Oh. Gotcha,” you said. He got up and leaned over the back of your chair, glancing at the page.

“These are soups and salads,” he said, pointing near the top. “Sandwiches. Pasta. Main dishes down here.”

“Uh, maybe pasta?” you said. He knelt down and read off the dishes to you one by one, your waiter returning by the time he was just finishing.

“Anything I can assist you with?” he asked.

“I’ll have the fettuccine alfredo with chicken please,” you said, handing the menu to him, Jensen returning to his seat.

“Face principale?” he asked. You stared at Jensen and he smiled.

“She doesn’t speak French,” said Jensen.

“My apologies miss. What would you like for your main side dish?” asked the waiter. “Steamed vegetables, scalloped potatoes, lobster bisque-”

“I’ll have the vegetables,” you said. Jensen ordered and the waiter went to get your appetizer, a sad smile on his face.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think twice about the French thing.”

“Kinda hot that you know French,” you said. “I should try to learn it if we’re gonna be up here for a few months.”

“I’m an idiot and I learned it so you’ll do just fine picking it up,” he said. 

“So where’d you learn in the first place?”

“I’m stuffed,” you said, plopping your napkin from your lap onto the table awhile later. Jensen took the last bite of the piece of mouse pie, licking his lips as he finished. “This might have been the best alfredo I’ve ever had.”

“I enjoyed it. Mostly I enjoyed listening to you talk,” he said. You blushed and looked away, Jensen letting out a small hum. “It’s funny. Doesn’t really feel like just a second date, does it.”

“No, not really,” you said. “I guess that’s what happens when you’re friends first.”

“Well I definitely like being friends with you,” he said. 

“Me too, Jensen.” 

“Want to get out of here?” he asked. You smiled and nodded, the two of you outside a few minutes later wrapped up in your coats. Your feet were cold in just your heels, Jensen’s arm wrapping around your waist when you almost slipped more than once. It was slow going back to the car, especially when it started to snow lightly.

“You know, that dress would still look hot with winter boots,” he chuckled. 

“Sorry,” you said.

“No apology necessary. I got freaking dress shoes on and my feet are cold. I can’t imagine how you’re holding up,” he said.

“The perils of being a woman,” you said.

“Well, no need to impress me is all I’m saying. I ain’t looking at your feet anyways,” he said.

“Oh well in that case I’ll wear some nice baggy sweats next date.”

“Please do,” he said. 

“You really don’t care, do you.”

“I think you look beautiful tonight. But I think you look beautiful every night. You did your hair and makeup and this is stunning, don’t get me wrong. But she’s not more beautiful than the girl at home with hair tossed up all messy walking around in oversized shirts and leggings. It’s like flowers. Both are pretty but one isn’t more pretty than the other.”

“Where the fuck did I find you?”

“At my house,” he chuckled. You whacked his arm and leaned your head on his shoulder. “Almost back to the car. I’ll blast the heat for us when we’re in there.”

“Thanks Jensen.”

“Thank you for the date, honey. I mean it. We’ll do it again sometime. Promise.”

Saturday Night

“Your boyfriend seems pissed,” said Brandon. You sipped up the last of your beer, glancing over to the bar where Jensen was tapping his finger. 

“He’s fine,” you said. “So any good parks around the west side of town?”

“Center Grove is always my choice. Good playground, nice area, cops routinely are around. Parking can kinda be a bitch sometimes but it’s worth it in my opinion. My kids love it.”

“You’ve been their nanny for five years you said?”

“Mhm,” he said, knocking back the last of his drink. “Shawn’s mom is their mom’s best friend.”

“Oh. So you had an in already.”

“You know long term gigs are the way to go in this job,” he said. “Not too many American girls come up here. Your accent is cute.”

“Is it, eh?” you chuckled.

“Like I’ve never heard that one before,” he said, Jensen walking back with two beers and a clenched jaw. 

“You okay?” you asked as he sat it down in front of you.

“I’m fine,” he said, taking a long sip. Brandon slid off his seat and made a face. 

“I need a refill anyways. Nice meeting you Y/N. We gotta hang some time,” he said as he walked away.

“For sure,” you said, Jensen rolling his eyes behind his back. “Jensen what’s going on?”

“Nothing,” he said.

“Well you obviously have a problem with Brandon.”

“I don’t have a problem with him. I have a problem with my girlfriend flirting with another guy.”

“I was not flirting. I’m trying to make new friends. It was your idea to come to this thing tonight anyways.”

“Whatever,” he scoffed.

“Excuse me?”

“In case I wasn’t clear, I’m not the kind of guy where I’m okay with you dating multiple people at once. I don’t get that not exclusive shit.”

“I’m with you and only you. I was being nice. Geez, let’s just go,” you said. You got up and pulled your coat on, bumping into a guy on the way out. He turned and apologized, staring at you a little long.

“Y/N?” he asked, a big smile on his face. “My Y/N?”

“Dad?” you said, his face much older looking than you remembered but his eyes still the same.

“Dad?” said Jensen. You brushed past your dad and outside, Jensen hot on your heels. 

“Y/N,” your dad said as he left the bar. 

“Stay away from me,” you said. “Jensen I want to go home right now.”

“What-”

“Right fucking now!”

He held up his hands and you walked around the block to the car, getting inside and Jensen taking off.

“So your dad’s alive huh,” he said. You stared out the dark window with crossed arms. “So is everything I know about you bullshit?”

“What?”

“Is literally anything you’ve ever told me true? Your dad obviously didn’t die when you were a kid. All those late night talks about family and shit, you just like to fuck with people or something?”

“I was not flirting with Brandon you asshole. You didn’t need to know my whole life story the second I meet you.”

“Oh. Okay. Just your fake life story then, huh?” he said. You shook your head as he got stuck at a red light. “If I can’t trust you, I can’t employ you let alone date you.”

“Whatever,” you said. He drove in silence until you were out of the city, going along quieter roads. You were close to the house when he suddenly turned right towards the local park and stopped in the lot, putting the car in park. He touched your arm and you turned, Jensen leaning over and kissing you roughly, far more roughly than you thought he was capable of. You blinked when he pulled back, Jensen looking you up and down. 

“He won’t hurt you.”

“What?”

“Did he walk out on you and your mom?” he asked. “You told him to stay away from you. Sort of shouted it at him. Maybe you lied but maybe...I’m sorry I got jealous of Brandon. I’m still scared and I think you’re still scared too and that’s okay. If you lied about your dad, I’m gonna trust you have a good reason for it. I’m sorry for what I said. I trust you and I don’t want to know what my life is like without you in it.”

“It’s okay,” you said quietly. “I forgive you.”

“You don’t have to tell me what happened,” he said. “We can just go home, okay?”

“Why’d you pull over?”

“Because I knew I didn’t mean it and I knew I overreacted. I said I’d mess up when we started. It’s been a long time since I’ve done this. I’m 42 with three kids. Brandon is thirty and young and stronger than I am and can go out to the bar whenever he wants. You have options. You don’t have to settle for me.”

“If I’d wanted to settle, I’d have married my ex. What I wanted was the guy that forgives me for not telling him the whole story cause I’m not ready to say it. I want the guy that makes me happy and feel like I have a teenage crush but it’s deeper than that. You’re not the settle for option, Jensen. Why don’t you get that?”

“The last time I felt like this, I married the girl,” he said quietly. “That didn’t turn out so well.”

“You didn’t get the time you deserved with her. It doesn’t mean it ended badly. You loved her and she knew it. She wants you to be happy again, whether it’s me or somebody else.”

“See? That’s the shit that tells me...it tells me to keep falling for you. I’m so sorry for how I acted tonight.”

“I lied about my dad and not a little white one either,” you said with a nod. You turned away and felt his hand on your cheek. “So much of what I told you was a lie.”

“You don’t have to tell me the truth right now, Y/N.” He stroked your cheek and you glanced over, meeting his soft green eyes.

“My mom died giving birth to me,” you said, Jensen nodding. “He hated me for it. Hated me. He would hurt me when I was a toddler. When I was four he started doing...other things.”

“Four?” he breathed out.

“I didn’t know it wasn’t normal. Not until I started school. I was scared though so I never said anything. One of my friends mom’s realized what was going on when I was over playing one day. He went away and lost custody. I went into foster care briefly and got adopted when I was eight. Single mom who’d lost her husband young. That’s my mom. She was a kind person. Ray was always good to her and to me. But I asked him not to adopt me after she was gone and he knew it was because I was still scared of a dad again. Being a nanny, I’ve met fathers that look at me and I just know what was going through their head. I reported him and kinda fucked up their family situation but-”

“That was the right thing to do,” he said.

“I know it was. I’ve just...I’ve had more than one guy and even a woman walk in on me changing or into my bathroom and it’s like, she’s just the help, nobody cares. They don’t touch so it’s like...what can I even do? Then my house before this one, the guy tried getting in my shower with me and I shoved him and he broke his arm and I just don’t understand why so many people think I’m just a piece of meat. Even my ex never got why it bothered me so much. They didn’t touch me so what was wrong with it? He just didn’t get it. He would get mad if I wasn’t in the mood for sex. Nobody ever fucking gets it except you who I lied to and pissed off tonight and without a word of an explanation why, you say you won’t let somebody hurt me. Do you get why you’re the opposite of fucking settling Jensen?”

“I won’t hurt you.”

“I know you won’t Jensen.”

“How?”

“Because you’re a good person. You’re so gentle and kind. I know you’re strong and tough but I see it everyday. You should never be worried about how your kids will turn out. If they are half as good as you are they’ll be fucking great people. Your daughters aren’t gonna put up with shit and your son is gonna be kind to everyone and say fuck you to the toxic guys out there. I can already tell the kind of person you are through them and it’s a good one. A really good one.”

“I’m not the only good person in their lives,” he said. You sniffled and looked down, Jensen’s hand sliding under your chin and tilting it up. “You don’t have to apologize for not telling me all of that. Never apologize for not telling me that. Okay?”

“I never told anyone about…the other stuff,” you said, wanting to look down but Jensen’s hand holding your chin up.

“You have nothing to be embarrassed about. I’m sorry it took you so long to find people that would protect you.”

“You mean…” He nodded and dropped his hand away, running it over your head. “You’re not gonna like, go back and kick his ass are you?”

“Want me to? I’m very tempted at the moment,” he said.

“I just want to go home. I could use one of those hugs right now.”

“Do you want to stay with me tonight? Just to stay, nothing more.” You nodded and he kissed your forehead, a tiny smile crossing your face. Ten minutes later you were home and the babysitter was gone, Jensen pulling you into his room next to yours. You blew your nose in his bathroom and washed off your face, lifting your head to find a pair of your pajama shorts and one of his shirts on the vanity beside you. He smiled as he ducked out, leaving you to change. You let your hair down and took off your bra before you walked out and saw his blanket on the opposite side of the bed. “Warm enough?”

You spun around as he walked inside and you nodded, Jensen pulling you into a hug. 

“I’m sorry for how I was at the bar,” you said.

“I was the one that overreacted, not you,” he said. You felt goosebumps on your arms and he pulled away to turn up the heat, nodding over to the bed. The covers were flung back and you climbed underneath, Jensen getting in on his side. His arm wrapped over your waist and pulled your chest close to his, face only inches away. “You don’t have to worry about him anymore. No one will hurt you again. I promise.”

You moved closer to him, resting your forehead against his.

“Remember last Saturday when we were on the trampoline and you talked about those safety nets,” you said.

“Yes, I do.”

“You’re a really good net,” you said softly.

“So are you,” he murmured. He kissed the tip of your nose and you shut your eyes. “What’d you want to be when you were little?”

“A princess,” you said. He chuckled and you smiled. “I wanted a prince to come take me away and everything would be just fine.”

“Really?”

“Princesses were always happy at the end of the movie,” you said. “They got the boy and they were happy. Then I grew up and prince charming doesn’t exist.”

“Cause you’re not a damsel in distress. You didn’t need the prince to save you.”

“But the prince would have made life so much easier.”

“I’m partial to badass princesses myself,” he said. You opened your eyes and he was smiling.

“I’ve never noticed your freckles before.”

“They come out more when I spend some time in the sun.” You moved a hand up and traced under his eye, Jensen nuzzling into his pillow. “Make you a deal. If the badass princess saves me, the scared prince will save her too.”

“Okay,” you said. You kissed him lazily, Jensen smiling through it. 

“Do you want to be a nanny forever?”

“Not forever. It’s an easy way to feel like you have a family when you don’t.”

“Now you do,” he said.

“Jensen you don’t know if this will work out.”

“I do and you do and we’ll take it slow anyways,” he said. “Which is why I’m asking do you want to be a nanny forever.”

“Why?”

“Because maybe someday I won’t need one,” he said. 

“I thought about being an elementary school teacher when I was eighteen for a hot second.”

“You did? You’d be amazing.”

“Pay in Texas is crap though. I make more as a nanny.”

“If money wasn’t an issue though, would you want to be a teacher still?”

“Anything at all?” you asked, Jensen nodding, nose brushed against yours. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

“You okay?” he asked, reluctantly letting you out of bed.

“I’m good. I want to show you something,” you said. You slipped out of the room and down the hall to the playroom, picking up a book. Jensen was sat up in bed when you returned and crawled under the covers. You handed him the book and he smiled.

“I don’t remember buying this,” he said, flipping it over. “There’s no serial code on it.”

“You can’t buy it. I wrote a children’s book and printed a few copies for myself,” you said.

“You wrote a book?” he asked, flipping through it. “Did you draw this?”

“Yeah,” you said, Jensen staring at you. “I don’t know if it’s any good. I never tried publishing it.”

“You want to write children’s books, don’t you?” he said, starting to read the story.

“I have a number of them written out. I would make up the stories for kids at bedtime and decided to write them down. It’s kinda like whinnie the poo, that age group, you know? Same group of characters but different stories,” you said.

“These are adorable,” he said, turning another page. You were quiet while he read through for a few minutes, Jensen smiling when he shut the book. “I’ve never read a children’s book where they deal with the loss of a parent.”

“The kids really like it,” you said.

“You should publish this. Seriously. It’s cute and I’m a grown ass man and it made me feel better about Dee.”

“It’s just a story,” you said, rubbing the back of your neck.

“I make stories for a living. This whole place would fall apart without stories. This is good. You should consider trying to get it published.”

“Maybe if that nanny job doesn’t work out I will,” you said. 

“Do you mind if I keep this?” he asked.

“Not at all. I gave it to JJ in the first place.”

“Thanks. I want to read this to the twins tomorrow,” he said. He set it on the nightstand and slid back down, pulling you with him. “Why’d the mom fox die in the story? I would have expected the dad wolf considering…”

“Wish fulfillment for a nice father,” you said. “Plus I like drawing the wolf.”

“I like him. He’s fluffy,” chuckled Jensen. “Is that why you asked if I carry a picture of my kids when we met?”

“I’m done with asshole parents. If they treat their kids like shit they sure as hell aren’t gonna treat me any better. You seemed like a good guy. Good guys tend to do that kind of thing.”

“I’m not always good.”

“Yeah, you are,” you said. You shut your eyes and nuzzled close to him, Jensen letting out a soft hum. “You okay? With me being here.”

“Very. Feeling better after everything that happened?”

“Mhm,” you said. “I’m still sorry I lied to you.”

“Did you ever lie about your mom?” he asked. “I mean aside from the fact she adopted you, did you lie about her?”

“No.”

“Then you didn’t lie, not really. I’m sorry it came out like that. You should have been able to tell me in your own time.”

“You still would have been angry,” you said. 

“I still would have come to my senses too. I’m not perfect. I never was.”

“I don’t want someone perfect,” you said. Your head rested against his chest and you let out a soft sigh.

“Goodnight, Y/N,” he said. He kissed the top of your head and tucked it under his chin, adjusting the blankets once before he stilled.

“Goodnight, Jensen.”

_______

A/N: Read Part 6 here!

[lemonflavouredchaos]

Hot for Teacher - Pt 1.

Eddie Munson x Reader

This chapter is SFW but future parts will be 18+ - Minors DNI

AU where Eddie survives and clears his name, finding more confidence in himself and gaining more optimism for the future, he approached you (his long-time crush) to ask you to tutor him, even though you’ve long since graduated. You’re only too happy to help, of course. (Eddie and Y/N are both roughly 19 or 20 in this fic).

      To say you were surprised when Eddie Munson wandered into your workplace was a surprise; he’d been keeping his head low since the earthquake, despite having been proven innocent. Servings burgers and shakes to truckers and highschool kids wasn’t your idea of glamour, but it was slowly pouring money into your college fund and that was enough. Graduating highschool early had given you one benefit, and that was the ability to work full-time towards your goal. 

He was pale in the harsh diner lights, but there was an air of confidence around him that hadn’t been there since middle school. He looked like a grown man, and that was something you had never expected, 

“Y/N,” he says it nonchalantly, but quietly, “heard you worked here.”

“I surely do,” you say, “what can I do for you, handsome.” Handsome? Your surprise is mirrored in his eyes, 

“Well,” he leans his elbows on the counter, pressing his chin to his knuckles, “handsome I may be, but I am also tired Y/N... tired of failing senior year. Tired of repeating it, and a little bird told me you still work as a tutor from time to time?”

“That little birdie told you true,” you say and stop wiping the counter, 

“Can we start Saturday?”

“Morning?” You ask and he nods, “ok, I take $10 an hour Munson.”

“Fair and reasonable...” he’s smiling at you, now, eyes unreadable, a strange scar above one of his rings shines in the light, “and I will take a coffee and a slice of that black cherry pie.” He points one thick finger and straightens, pulling his wallet from an inner pocket. 

     That’s how you ended up standing in the sweltering heat outside the Munson’s new trailer on a sticky June morning, skin on your shoulders already burning. The trailer was in darkness, the trailer park quiet but for a pair of ragged neighbours who watched you with interest - wondering what a clean-cut, pretty girl in a bright yellow sundress was doing standing outside the Munson place. 

You kick off your shoes and step into a kids paddle pool stranded somewhere in the no man’s land between trailers, sighing as the cool water kisses your feet and lower legs, 

“You looking for someone, doll?” The woman across the lane asks, 

“Eddie Munson?” You call, “I’m here-”

“Eddie?” The woman barks and then laughs, “Christ on a crutch you’re too nice to hang around that headbanger.”

“I’m his tutor,” you cut across her, “to help him pass his classes.”

“Oh, well, reckon he works the late shift with his uncle now so they’re probably still sleeping.”

“I knocked.”

“Car there?” She leans forward and you shake your head, 

“Well, maybe they went out to town for something.” As she says it the rumble of tyres on the road makes you turn. A worn pickup truck grinds to a halt outside the trailer and two older men step out, 

“Help you, miss?” 

“Mr. Munson?” You ask and he nods warily, “I’m here to see Eddie, do you know where he is.” He stares for a few seconds then scratches his head, 

“You’re here for Eddie?”

“Yes, sir,” you nod, “I’m his tutor.” You raise the book bag a little and he tilts his head, 

“Had to cover a few hours of the morning shift last minute, he’ll be along soon. You want a coffee?” You hesitate, “Tea?”

“Tea would be nice.” You follow them into the trailer, nodding to the second man (introduced as ‘Earl’); it’s a neat little space, well-kept if a little messy. It feels like a home, almost reaching out to hug you as you sit at the small table and start to unpack your books, “do you mind?” You motion to them and Mr Munson shakes his head, 

“Not at all, just pleased Eddie’s taking this serious now.” He passes the steaming mug of tea with a kind, tired smile, “Earl and I’ll be over by the TV - call if you need something.” You nod and start to lay out the books before sitting and jotting down some notes; questions to ask, points to cover, general curriculum observations. It’s something you’ve down a hundred times before. You almost don’t need to, but it helps you to relax in a new environment. When the trailer door opens, you almost don’t hear it. It’s his shadow that makes you look up.

 Eddie Munson seems to take up more space than possible. From your seated position he is impossibly tall and broad, and he stares for a few seconds, dark eyes flicking over you and the books before a smile splits his face, radiant as sunshine, 

“Hello Princess,” he says, “sorry to keep you waiting, but they couldn’t do without my technical experience.”

“His thick head and strong back, he means,” Earl shouts with a scoff, “these young bucks got more muscle than sense.”

“Correct as always, Earl, correct-” Eddie spreads his hands and smiles at you again, “as always.” He slides into the seat beside yours, the rough material of his overalls rubbing your bare legs where the dress has ridden up, sending tingles through your body, “so teach, what are we doing today?” He claps his hands together and looks at the materials spread across the table, 

“Well, you said you’re re-doing the whole year?” You ask and he nods, 

“Just a few credits off, but the principal thought it would be for the best considering my “recent distractions” and shit.” He actually makes the air quotes, “you mind if I change real quick?”

“No,” you wave your hand, “go on, I’ll just set up the materials for Miss Grishams English class.” He groans dramatically as he stands, faking a faint before hopping to his feet and striding to his room, “be right back!”  He closes the door behind him, but it stays open a crack and you can see the pale skin of his side, marked with thick pink scars, as he kicks his overalls off and drags a pair of jeans on. A hot blush forms on your face, making you look down at the paper without really seeing it. When he comes back he has a wide smile on his face, 

“Ok, lets get this shit show on the road.”

“Edward,” Mr Munson calls, a warning in his tone, 

“Lets get this defecation parade underway,” Eddie corrects himself and produces a notebook, smirking when his uncle chuckles, 

“Better.” 

      He’s smart, but that’s no shock to you. He was held back because he never applied himself, not because he was stupid. As the sun sets and your tingling shoulders cool, Mr Munson and Earl leave. In the silence that follows, Eddie pushes through more work than you could have hoped for, moving onto history by 6pm. No, Eddie Munson is not stupid and he learns quickly, almost greedily, 

“You hit almost all of the key points,” you say, scanning the short essay you had him write to sum-up the days work, “good job.” It’s an offhand remark, but Eddie blushes hotly and looks down, dark eyes bright and sparkling, 

“Thanks teach,” he murmurs then looks up at the clock, “you want a ride home?”

“Uuuh, oh God look at the time,” you gasp - 8pm, your father will be getting ready to send a search party, “yes, please. If you don’t mind?”

“Not at all, can’t have you walking at this time,” he stands and stretches, his bones making a series of cracks and pops, scooping up his van keys with a smile. When he pulls onto the dark road that leads from the trailer park to town, you are suddenly aware of his bulk. Slim, but broad with hands like shovels. The silver rings on his thick fingers whenever a car passes. Who would have thought that skinny boy would turn into... this. You sneak a look at his profile and lick your lips, 

“Thank you for taking me home,” you say, “you’re a real gentleman.”

“I do try, Princess,” he says almost distractedly, squinting ahead, “you want to see something cool before I drop you off?” The sudden change sets you off-balance, 

“Uh, sure- yeah.”

“Sure?”

“Yes.”

“Ok,” he slows the van and turns onto a side road that angles upwards after a few minutes. The trees give way and you pull into a flat patch of ground with a good view of the countryside, “come on.” Eddie grins, turns the engine out and hops out the van. When you follow, he leans against the hood of the car and points up with a smile. In the darkness, the sky is a glittering blanket, 

“The stars...” you say, “they’re so bright out here.”

“They are,” he admits, “but that’s not what we’re here for.

“What-?”

“Wait-” he holds up a hand and points. Almost as if on cue a series of streaks paint the sky. Shooting stars, “I forgot there was a meteor shower tonight, but a buddy of mine reminded me yesterday.” 

“I’m glad she did.” 

“He.” He corrects you quickly, and you see his head turn to you sharply. Your face burns under his gaze, then he exhales, “well, you ready to go?”

“In a minute...” you whisper, and he waits patiently until you push away from the front of the van and opens the door for you before getting into the drivers seat and starting the engine. The rest of the ride takes place in dreamy silence, without even a radio. He pulls up to the kerb near your house and sighs, 

“Well, fair lady, this is your stop.” He places his hands on the steering wheel and draws in a deep breath, 

“So it is... thank you, for showing me the stars,” you say and he huffs, 

“No, thank you for getting me out of the perpetual purgatory that is highschool,” he’s turned to you, but his face is half in shadow, lit gold by the streetlights, 

“Ah you would have got it last year if...” you trail away awkwardly, “well, you know.”

“Yeah,” he shifts in the seat, turning to you a little, “but I’ll get it this year for sure.”

“I know you will,” you whisper, suddenly swamped by memories of how he had been when you were younger, “I’m so glad things worked out for you Eddie. I never believed what they said,” you say it urgently, “not for a second.”

“Really?”

“Really, I knew you could never...” you start, but stall when his hand lands on yours, 

“I’m glad. I mean it. I never want you to think bad of me, Princess. Never...” he pushes a hand through his hair and leans forward, eyes glinting in the light, “God I thought...”

“Thought?”

“I,” he laughs, “I thought I would deal with this better but... Jesus H. Christ I had such a crush on you when we had classes together,” he draws the words out slow and low, 

“You never said,” the urge to touch him is almost unbearable - your hands want to reach for him, they seem to itch with the need. Eddie just laughs, 

“Course I didn’t,” he shakes his head, “you were... God, and then after. When you went ahead and I didn’t. In your senior year? Shit, you came in every day dressed like a damn disney princess, all those cute dresses and I... oh man, I loved it. Made my day. But I was doing my dirtbag phase so I couldn’t admit it... then I started seeing you on Mondays at, 

“Dr Wilkins office hours,” you say, remembering the weekly counselling sessions with a sudden flash of anxiety, 

“Yep,” he says and slaps the wheel, “I knew you’d remember! Well, I used to get there early,” he says almost conspiratorily, “so I could see you leave, creepy I know...” he chuckles, “and ever week you would come out. You’d close the door behind you, smooth your skirt, and you’d lean down and your hair would fall over your should. Every week. And I’d stare at the way it swung, always so fucking clean and shiny... and you’d look up, and tilt your head to the side and it would fall the other way...” he’s speaking softly, as if seeing it all, “and you’d smile and say, ‘Morning Eddie’” he mimicks your voice, but its fond rather than teasing, “and I thought... that’s the kind of girl that makes everything better.” He licks his lips, and you find yourself staring at them, “sometimes you were the first person that had looked happy to see me in days.”

Your porch light flicks on and a shape steps out, 

“That’s my dad,” you whisper, 

“Sure, yeah.” He turns the engine on, and the van light comes on as you open the door, 

“Eddie?” You look at the pale side of his face, blushing when those dark eyes slide to yours, and you chicken out,

“Still six on wednesday?” You ask, and he nods, 

“Six on wednesday... want me to pick you up?” 

“Sure,” you say with a smile, “thank you.” You’re aware of the way you straighten your skirt after putting the book bag on your shoulder. He looks so vulnerable when you turn back that the words shake loose, breaking away by themselves to overcome your own fear, “I was.”

“What?”

“Happy to see you,” you say, “I was always happy to see you on Mondays, Eddie.” His smile is uncertain at first, then grows after his eyes flick over your face a few times, “and I’m happy I’ll be seeing more of you now.”

“Stop, or my head won’t fit in the trailer,” he makes a show of fanning himself, but the laugh is self-conscious, brittle. You have soothed something inside him, you realise, something that was worried you would run. 

“I’ll bring a pin to burst your bubble next time,” you say and he gives you a thumbs up, 

“You do that, Princess, you do that.” You don’t watch the van leave, not with your father on the porch staring, but you strain to hear the engine even as the house door clicks shut behind you. 

[thejakeformerlyknownasprince]

I have updated my "Animorphs in Italy" AU, because I hadn't considered some logistical issues around location. It's so interesting to think how much the series would change if it was set in a rather different culture, as continental Europe.

Italy, and Europe in general, is much more densely populated than either the US, Australia or Canada. Hence, to make sure that Ax and Tobia (by the way Tobia is a very unusual name in Italy, but it really suits him!) have a hideout place, we are limited to areas reasonably close to a national park. I think Amalfi would be a great choice, because of its mild weather that resembles California's, as well as its proximity to the seaside, to a regional park and to Naples, which is a major city.

Tobia will have to get stuck as a Common Buzzard (which is native to the area, phew!) and to put up with Rachele (Rachel) being a Golden Eagle. To fly around, it might be smart to be seagulls, but they're never smart about it.

Battle morphs will definitely have to come from a zoo, because there are no big wild animals in Italy. Ax (who gets to keep his Andalites name) will definitely not be able to morph shark if his dome crashes in the Mediterranean Sea. However, if he's lucky, he'll get a dolphin. On the bright side, Animorphs won't have to endure freezing water during their sea missions.

I have also realised that skunks don't exist in Europe, hence Visser 3 won't get sprayed. :(

Giacomo (Jake) and Tommaso (Tom) would definitely be playing football (as in soccer). Tommaso used to be star of the junior division of SSC Napoli, but he obviously gave it up as a controller. Similarly, Giacomo's hero is obviously Diego Maradona (instead of Michael Jordan).

The sharing should probably be a Catholic institution. Using a Catholic Church as a shady place has already be done on Midnight Mass, so apparently it's OK.

Yeerks definitely wouldn't be able to dig an underground pool, because of too many archaeological findings, so it would have to be an actual swimming facility, (somehow) linked to the Church.

Unfortunately, Don Enrico  (Hedrick Chapman) will have to be a priest, meaning that Melissa wouldn't exist :'(

The Davide (David) trilogy will be abozut preventing yeerks from infiltrating the Vatican.

There will have to be some occasions to visit Rome and Ax will be impressed by the Ancient Roman ruins, yet horrified hearing about the purpose of the Colosseum.

The Chee will definitely brag about having survived the eruption Mount Vesuvio in 79 AD. However, they'll also have to admit that they stood there while letting everyone in Pompeii and Herculaneum be killed. This non-interference policy will be a major plot line in one of the books.

Because it's the 90s, I'm afraid they're all likely to be ethnically white. However, Marco (not only does he get to keep his Italian name, but he's also one of the several Marcos in his class) will look very South Italian (olive skin, black hair and eyes), which pretty much as close as it gets to Canon. 

Giacomo and Rachele can still be fair skin and blond. Not sure what to do about Camilla though (Cassie - Cassandra would be too weird).

Tobia has recently moved from his aunt's house near Venice. Because he speaks with a North-East accent, the others kids make fun of him.

Since classic anime were already an important part of pop culture in Italy, Rachele's nickname will be "Lady Oscar" (from The Rose of Versailles), instead of Xena.

Since in Italian schools students don't rotate classrooms, they're all classmates. Marco would be the one who always wants to sit in the back. However, since he's the class clown, teachers will make him sit in a first row desk.

The Animorphs will have less time for weekend battles, because they will have to go to school on Saturdays. However, they'll be more free in the afternoons . Instead of hanging out at the mall, they'll probably meet in a square in town or by the beach (in Summer). Also, they won't be eating hamburgers or food court junk food, yet they'll have street food and pizza.

Ax will have a great time in Italy because of food. He'll finally get to try pizza, pasta and gelato, which would make this AU better for him. Period. He would have difficulties eating spaghetti in a civilised manner, and will complain about forks being inefficient for the purpose. He might even dare to suggest that using a spoon makes it more convenient.

Ax would also piss off the locals by ordering cappuccino after 11am. To put a remedy on it,  Giacomo will have to introduce him as his British cousin.

Ax' favourite food will be tiramisù, and he'll get salmonella at least once for buying it from cheap places.

There will be no school dances, only informal house parties. Hence, Giacomo Rachele and Camilla will likely be the only ones invited. Once they reach liceo (high school), things will change and they'll all crush the parties, as adults won't be supervising. Parties on the beach can also be featured. At that point, parties might probably involve alcohol, so we'll get to see drunk Ax (yay!). There will also be some drama about drunk Ax being unable to Demorph.

In MM3, Visser 4 will try to change the Gallic Wars by murdering Julius Caesar (as his host was obsessed with the last canto of Dante's Inferno), a battle with Garibaldi during Italian Risorgimento, and he'll go to the the University of Pisa to kill Galileo Gailiei (though another option is the Medici court to kill Leonardo Da Vinci). Instead of D day, the final battle would have to be the battle of Anzio,  the town where the Allies landed in 1944. However, since the previous events were changed, Italy as a country wouldn't probably exist at all by that point.

Bless.